Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council has repaired and returned benches to Woodland Walk after thieves stripped them of bolts and commemorative plaques earlier this year, leaving them unsafe to use.
Walkers along the Penn Stream path between Frog Bridge Sportsground and Scotched Field lost access to the benches for part of the summer — the vandalism left them a safety risk, and they had to come out entirely. They’re now back.
Councillor Des Keers, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, condemned the theft and said the removal had been a real loss to people using the path. Local member Dennis King said he and Councillor Keers had worked with the Leisure Services team to look at where CCTV coverage was falling short along the route. Not hard to see why that conversation was necessary.
The council is now weighing up enhanced CCTV at suitable locations to reduce the chance of history repeating itself. The Antisocial Behaviour Task Force will also be brought in to help protect the benches.
The update was published on 29 September 2026.
What happens next: The council will work with the Antisocial Behaviour Task Force and assess CCTV locations along Woodland Walk to deter further vandalism.
Benches on Tonbridge's Woodland Walk restored after bolts and plaques stolen Quiz
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