A HEARTLESS vandal has set fire to a section of a playground at Droitwich’s St Peter’s Pre-School.
The incident, which happened at 6.30am Friday morning (September 23), led to a section of artificial grass outside the children’s wooden play house being completely burnt.
When staff arrived to start work at 8am on Friday morning, the man was still in the play house.
The area is covered by CCTV which police are now studying. The man was seen lighting a fire in a cardboard box on the astroturf which, as well as burning the surface, also scorched the door of the play house.
He was also seen urinating over the fence into the churchyard and cigarette ends and other litter has been found in the play house.
The man was then seen to go over the fence into St Peter’s Churchyard next door.
This incident comes less than a year after the playground was targeted before – on that occasion the artificial grass was stolen and was replaced thanks to the generosity of local businesses and residents.
A spokesperson for the pre-school said: “There is no need for him to do this to a children’s play area – it’s just mindless vandalism.
“We were very lucky the fire did not also destroy the house and all the play items stored around it.
“It is such a shame that an individual thinks it’s okay to vandalise a children’s play area that staff, parents and the local community have worked hard to create for the children at St Peter’s Pre-School.”
A West Mercia Police spokesperson confirmed the incident and appealed for any witnesses or anyone with any information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
