WREXHAM parents have been urged to speak to their children after "feral" behaviour saw emergency services called out to a park over the weekend.

Ponciau Councillor Paul Pemberton warned in January that the village's skate and play parks may have to close if anti-social behaviour persists.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service was called out on Saturday and Sunday evening to tackle deliberate fires involving rubbish at the skate park.

Wrexham Rural District Inspector Gavin Gilmore told the Leader the matter is under investigation and those responsible are believed to be local youths.

Cllr Pemberton said: "My phone didn't stop on Saturday night - it went on Sunday as well.

"This behaviour usually comes in fits and starts. "But this one started months ago.

"It's a horrible, soul destroying situation. Why should half a dozen youngsters ruin it for the village?

"It's criminal, I think. It's feral. "Parents need to take responsibility for their kids - it's obvious they don't know where they are.

"This needs sorting out, full stop. "When you have to bring the fire service and police out a few nights in a row, that's not on. "They could be needed somewhere else. Someone could die as a consequence and to me that's the height of anti-social behaviour."

Cllr Pemberton said he fully supported the officers tackling the issue.

"As soon as they pull up everyone disperses," he said.

"It's a very wide open area and they just seem to disappear.

"To be fair, the officers can't be everywhere and I sympathise with their predicament. "I am writing to the police to request a meeting to see what we can sort out.

"I have every faith in the police and I am sure they will sort it out."

Insp Gilmore said: "We have had members of the public come to us about this and I'd like to thank them for their help. "It is a community problem we are trying to tackle together.

"It is under investigation and we are trying to identify the youths. They will be dealt with robustly.

"We have had Operation Blue Hummingbird (an initiative to tackle anti-social behaviour) running over the weekend and had our neighbourhood police team PCOSs and PCs in the proximity of the park. "It appears to have been cardboard boxes which were set alight in the park. "I'd ask parents; are you aware of where your child is and what they are getting involved in? "We still have covid regulations in place.

"Tackling anti-social behaviour is part of our patrol plan and part of my priorities and strategy going forward into 2021.

"The community has told us where the anti-social behaviour is going on and we have listened."