HEARTLESS vandals broke into St Peter’s Pre-School twice over the Easter holidays, wrecking the play area and stealing a play house.
The children returned after their break to find fences torn down and garden toys damaged.
The wooden play house, which was the centrepiece for the area, had been there for nine years.
The thieves must have dismantled it and broken glass was strewn across the garden.
Both the break-ins happened when an imitation camera had been put in place to deter attacks while CCTV was being set up.
The vandals even damaged the CCTV during the incidents which both happened between Thursday afternoon and Sunday.
Teachers at the school said they were upset and astounded by what happened and questioned why people would want to deliberately stop local children from playing and learning in a fun and safe environment.
Trudi Harris, the pre-school manager, said: “I have worked here for 23 years, and am truly upset by what has happened.
“Unfortunately, due to our location we have been the target of break ins and robberies in the past, but it is so sad that this has happened during the children’s holidays and now they will come back to a play area that has been violated and damaged.”
Ms Harris appealed to anyone who saw anything or had any information to call the police.
“We just hope that someone may have seen or heard something that will see those culpable receive punishment for their actions.”
St Peter’s Pre-School which was established more than 25 years ago and currently has 31 pupils, is based at St Peter’s Church, Church Lane.
The school is charity run with a committee consisting of staff and parents who organise regular fund-raising activities to pay for school equipment and activities.
Witnesses or anyone with any information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
