A COMMUNITY has been left 'devastated' after a mindless act of criminal damage has destroyed a 'letters to heaven' post box installed to help families overcome grief- as police confirm an investigation is underway.

Cumbria police received a report on February, 22 of criminal damage to a letterbox situated in Vulcans Park Reflection Garden, Workington.

The box which was installed by the town council last year, to help families grieving for loved ones in the town , allowing them to write letters or cards and post them to 'heaven'.

The box was found by dog walkers last Wednesday evening snapped in two in the parks reflection garden.

The Mayor of Workington has said 'there are no words to describe' such a mindless act with town council officials asking 'what is happening to our town'.

In a statement on social media, Workington Town Council said: "To say that we are disgusted and upset would be an understatement.

"Over the last few weeks we have had numerous break ins at our allotment sites and storage units in Vulcan Park with machines and tools stolen. Staff have also come to work to find nearby residents car windows smashed.

"And now this... last night our Letters to Heaven Post Box has been senselessly vandalised.

"The Mayor, Councillors and Officers of Workington Town Council work tirelessly every day to try and make Workington a better place to live and at the moment we are making daily phone calls to the police. What is wrong with people and what is happening to our town?"

Mayor of Workington, Cllr Beth Dixon said: "Our Letters to Heaven post box in Vulcan Park was senselessly vandalised.  The post box was installed in the park for our community to post letters to people in heaven and help with their grieving process. To think that people have gone out of their way to spoil this and take this away is incomprehensible.

"Myself, Councillors and Officers work tirelessly every day to make Workington a better place to live and this is what we are faced with, there are just no words."

The town council have replaced the box on Tuesday, February 27 with the estates team at the council being thanked for their work to repair the post box so quickly.

Police have confirmed that enquiries are 'currently ongoing' into the incident.

Anyone with information relating to this incident can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it quoting incident number 199 of 22 February 2024.

You can also phone on 101. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.