Parents report own children after Conifox Adventure Park vandalised two days in a row

Parents have reported their own children to police after recognising them in social media posts following a spree of vandalism at a Lothians adventure park.

Vandals broke in and smashed up Conifox Adventure Park at Kirkliston two days in a row, causing damage worth thousands of pounds.

It is understood that after the adventure park posted images on their social media pages, parents who believed their children were involved took action and reported them to police.

CCTV caught nine youths breaking in and damaging a number of facilities on Tuesday afternoon, with six returning on Wednesday.

A number of young men were pictured at the scene on Tuesday.

A marquee and toilet block were smashed up, with some chandeliers broken and some food items thrown around, while some Christmas props and a PA system was damaged.

Police confirmed they are investigating after the two attacks as owners are left counting the cost.

Posting on Facebook, Conifox Adventure Park owner James Gammell, said of the second attack: “I am disappointed and saddened to post this further update. On Wednesday evening six young men trespassed onto Conifox land and further smashed up the marquee in the Adventure Park and added to this by smashing up one of our toilet blocks.

"I believe at least one of the young men involved in the Tuesday break in came back on Wednesday as can be seen by photos wearing the same clothes and sitting on one of the pedal karts.

Six youths returned on Wednesday

“They destroyed the two remaining chandeliers in the marquee by throwing chairs at them, smashed chairs, threw opened mayonnaise bottles at the carpets.”"They have kicked a hand dryer off the toilet block wall and broken a toilet cistern.”

Mr Gammell added that police have been in attendance and are making inquiries.

He said: “This is not kids just playing out of Covid boredom, this is criminal damage and theft worth thousands of pounds.

"The police forensics team have been in and lifted both finger and shoe prints off various surfaces inc go karts and and saliva off cans of juice left behind.

The damage is thought to be worth thousands of pounds.

"I have a further meeting with the Police this week to collect our extensive video and photo evidence and take my statement for both crimes.”

He also appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

He said: “This has been a tough year for all of us and my business is no exception.

"Many of you will not know how personally I take the business or the hours I put in.

"We are a relatively small team who work very hard and I am very proud of what we have achieved in the past four years.

"I cannot sit back and see this hard work be destroyed by groups of mindless young men.

“Please private message me if you have any information regarding this incident. Any information passed on will be kept in strict confidence and only be shared with the Police.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We received a report of a break-in to a premises in Foxhall, Kirkliston, around 5pm on Tuesday, 16 February.

“Items were stolen from within and damage was caused to the property.

“Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting incident 3088 of 16 February, 2021.”