Joao’s upset over trampoline theft in Swindon

A NINE-year-old boy had his trampoline stolen from his back garden.
Joao Riberio used to use the 12ft toy every day in his garden in Godolphin close, Freshbrook.
On Saturday evening the £130 trampoline was stolen in the latest of a series of break-ins at the property.
Joao’s uncle Abel, who lives with him and Joao’s mother Maria, said: “I felt very angry. They don’t have any respect — they are just vandals.
“Joao was very sad — he used to jump on the trampoline every day.”
Mr Ribeiro, 40, said the family had suffered a series of break-ins since Swindon Council removed trees at Uxbridge Road playground, which backs onto his property.
The trees were removed by council officers because their roots were damaging play surfaces and it was felt they made the area too secluded.
However, Mr Ribeiro said teenagers had been hanging around behind his back garden since the renovation in February last year. He said the teenagers frequently climbed over his back wall to retrieve footballs and threw stones and rubbish into his garden.
Two bikes were also stolen and a back garden gate was broken twice, Mr Ribeiro said, and on another occasion a fence in the garden was set alight.
In a letter to Swndon Council’s chief executive, Mr Ribeiro complained the council had made him a prisoner in his own house because of his fear he would be burgled if he went on holiday.
He added neighbours had faced similar problems and had agreed with his opinion that the trees should not have been removed.
A Swindon Council spokesman said Mr Ribeiro had written to residents, including Mr Ribeiro, to ask for comments about the proposal to rennovate the play area.
The spokesman added: “The play area had to be refurbished for safety reasons because the previous equipment, which was made of wood, had reached the end of its life.
“The newly refurbished play area opened on 27 February last year and the work cost around £30,000.
“We are aware of Mr Ribeiro’s concerns and have met with him at the site, although his only complaints to us at the time were about the play area itself. We’re not aware of any complaints to us from other residents.”
A Swindon Police spokesman was unavailable for comment.

(Reproduced from the Swindon Advertiser, June 21st)

GARDIEN TIP: Items of value should be Property Marked. See the advice at http://www.garden-security.co.uk/retrieval.aspx?sec=pm