Clock meant to stop distraction muggings to be removed after showing wrong time for two years

A clock, designed to stop distraction muggings in a Stoke-on-Trent park, is to be removed because it has shown the wrong time for two years.

The giant digital clock at the Central Forest Park skate plaza in Hanley was installed by the city council in 2008.



It was put up to stop young people getting their mobile phones out when asked the time by robbers who then stole the handsets. Mechanical failures and power cuts had caused the problem, the council said.

A report to the council said: "Logically, a clock telling the wrong time provides more opportunity for potential phone snatchers to ask someone for the right time." It said it would be cheaper to remove the clock than repair it.