Parents of children using the playground were shocked at the theft of the aerial runway from Saumarez Park playground. Left to right, nanny Danni Le Breton holding Luke Elliot, 1, Sophie Pearce holding Freya Smith, 2, and son Ziggy Pearce, two and a half. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0798695)

THIEVES have stolen an aerial runway, replaced only three months ago, from the playground at Saumarez Park.

Parks and Garden staff discovered the loss when they arrived to clean the playground at 7.30 yesterday morning.

While the wooden structure that supports the line remains, the thieves went to a considerable effort to remove the steel cable, suspension fittings and seat, overnight on Tuesday.

The cost of replacing the equipment is estimated at about £2,000 – it had previously been replaced three months ago so that it was in good condition for the summer.

Yesterday, parents of children using the playground were shocked to find the most popular piece of play equipment gone.

Sophie Pearce, 35, was with her son Ziggy, 2, and a friend’s daughter, Freya Smith, also 2.

‘It’s very popular and there are usually people using it – why would anybody take it?’

Nanny Danny Le Breton, 33, who was looking after Luke Elliot, 1, said it was terrible.

‘I don’t understand how they would have got it. People have nothing better to do.’