Worthing Park's New Wildlife Food Dispenser Destroyed in Suspected Arson

A newly installed food dispenser at Brooklands Park in Worthing has been destroyed in a suspected arson attack, just days after being introduced to help visitors feed wildfowl responsibly.

Emergency services were called to the park early on Tuesday morning after reports of a fire. West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service responded with two fire engines, and crews arrived to find the duck feed dispenser engulfed in flames. Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze using a jet, but the machine was completely destroyed. The fire service later confirmed that the incident was believed to have been started deliberately.

The dispenser had been installed just four days earlier through a partnership between Worthing Borough Council and The Feed Ducks Initiative. Made from recycled plastics, it aimed to reduce the harmful practice of feeding bread to ducks while also contributing proceeds to park improvements.

Worthing Borough Council expressed disappointment over the incident but confirmed that The Feed Ducks Initiative had offered to replace the damaged machine. Sussex Police are investigating the suspected arson, and anyone with information is urged to contact them, quoting serial 205 of 11/03.