'It's horrible to look at': Residents call for support in cleaning Phoenix Park following fireworks
Residents have expressed concerns over the amount of firework debris littering a park in Wolverhampton.
Locals living near Phoenix Park, Wolverhampton, have called on the community to help clean up the remnants of an unsanctioned gathering involving fireworks.
A police cordon was established around Phoenix Park on October 22 to make way for a murder investigation, with the debris left in the park while investigations continued.
However, after the cordon was removed, the litter remained, with hundreds of boxes of 'used' fireworks and fireworks wrappers littering the area around the children's playground.
A spokesperson for Wolverhampton Council said on Monday (October 27): “The debris was not as the result of the official council Diwali celebrations held earlier this month nor any community organised events that have been booked into the park.
“Unfortunately, we find that some individuals do gather in the park at this time of year to set off fireworks and they can leave rubbish behind.
“We understand that this is very frustrating, and our crews are out cleaning up in Phoenix Park today.”
Residents called on the community to help clear the grounds so that children may again use the park.
Manveer Singh, aged 61, of the area, said: "It's disgraceful to see the park like this, especially around the children's playground.
"I believe the cordon might have stopped whoever organised it from cleaning. But now Phoenix Park is open again. They should clean it up. It can't be left like this."
Another resident said that it should fall on the community and the council to help clean the park, saying that 'we are all responsible' for keeping the green spaces clean.
Thomas Walker, aged 31, of the area, said: "I've picked some stuff up already. It should really be on us all to keep it clean.
"The police cordon probably stopped whoever was meant to clean it up. But the council and we residents should really work together."
The police cordon was put into place following the death of 26-year-old Navpreet Singh, who died after being attacked in the park; however, the cordon was removed on October 24.
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