"Vile" arsonists have torched new play equipment in a park just days after it was unveiled by a former Bond villain.
The parkour course at Avenue Park, in Cranford, was hailed as London's first purpose-built outdoor practice area for fans of the fast-growing sport when it was opened on August 3.
But just over a week later, on Wednesday (August 12), vandals struck, setting light to a climbing frame.
Cranford councillor Gurpal Virdi said: "This is a vile act by vandals who cannot accept good in the community and are willing to destroy taxpayers' money spent on projects such as this."
The damage is believed to be only cosmetic, but the equipment remains out of action while Hounslow Council assesses the apparatus.
The parkour course was part of a £150,000 make-over for the park, in Park Lane off Cranford High Street, which also included an open-air gym and multi-use games area.
It was opened by Sebastien Foucan, who appeared in the 007 film Casino Royale and is a pioneer of both parkour and freerunning, in which participants vault, climb and perform tricks on obstacles like railings and benches.
Firefighters were called to the park just after 1.30pm on August 12, where they found the sponge flooring beneath a climbing frame was alight, said a spokesman for the London Fire Brigade.
Police said the incident was being treated as arson but there were no suspects at this stage.
Mr Virdi said members of the Firs Drive Residents' Group had predicted the new equipment might be targeted after a playground in Lampton Park, Hounslow, was set alight last year. He said their calls for CCTV were rejected due to costs.
He also claimed there was a lack of police patrols in the park, where he said drinkers often congregate at night, leaving the ground strewn with cans of alcohol.
Police said the area was not necessarily suitable for CCTV because it was very leafy and quite dark in places.
A spokesman for Hounslow Council told getwestlondon it was stepping up security but the damaged equipment would be out of action until after the end of the summer holidays.
"The safety surfacing on about half of the parkour circuit is badly damaged and eight of the stepping stones will have to be replaced and the equipment washed down," he said.
"Though the replacement work will take approximately one week our contractor is unable to do the work until the school holidays are over, so we're saddened that this mindless vandalism has spoiled the enjoyment for so many.
"The new tennis courts, multi-sport area and outdoor gym remain open for business, however, and we pleased to see that these facilities are continuing to be well-used by local people.
"We are stepping up security on site in conjunction with the local neighbourhood police and our enforcement team. In addition our parks management team will be looking at ways to open up the site. We will keep the need for further security under review."
Anyone with information is asked to call PC James Mann at Hounslow Police on 020 8247 6065.
