Vandals leave children in tears (From Witney Gazette)

Vandals leave children in tears

2:24pm Tuesday 9th January 2007 in Witney By Rosalind Miles

VANDALS have left children without some of their favourite play equipment after targeting a nursery four times in two months.

Stepping Stones nursery, in Edington Square, Deer Park estate, Witney, was targeted over Christmas and into the New Year by vandals, who caused hundreds of pounds of damage.

As well as striking in November, they attacked the nursery on December 28, New Year's Eve, January 2, and January 4, leaving a climbing frame and slide broken, guttering torn off a wall, the nursery's sign ripped off, fencing around the nursery pushed down, and a front gate smashed.

The sign had been used as a skateboard ramp in a nearby car park.

Jane Kelly, manager of the nursery, said: "I am absolutely sickened. I either have to pay a £250 insurance excess for each incident, or the nursery just has to keep paying out. It's costing a fortune. It's so stupid and completely mindless.

"To replace the wooden climbing frame would cost about £1,000. When I phoned the insurance company, they just laughed at me, it's too old for them to pay out for. But I just can't afford to buy another. So the children will miss out on something they really enjoyed playing on.

"It's happened to us lots of times before. It really makes you wonder what the police are up to, they should have a constant presence here. There's lots of underage drinking and trouble in the square."

In April, vandals damaged drainpipes at Stepping Stones, and in the summer, a Wendy House was wrecked.

Stephanie Driver, whose twin two-year-old daughters, Charlize and Havana, attend the nursery, said: "I think it's disgusting.

"There's nothing for kids to do in that area. It's really quite bad. They are ruining a nursery for little children. It happens quite regularly during the holidays. You see underage kids with alcohol, and then after a drink, they smash things up.

"If the nursery keeps having to claim on the insurance, then the fees will go up, and it's already very expensive for us having twins."

Parents have rallied round to help with repairs of the damaged equipment.

Ms Kelly said: "Parents have been brilliant. The climbing frame is with a dad at the moment. It had to be taken away, as it was a hazard to the children.

"Another dad is coming later to repair the broken gate. Their support has been fantastic."

Police spokesman, Victoria Bartlett, said: "Criminal damage is a priority for the Neighbourhood Action Group, and neighbourhood officers have worked hard to try to resolve problems in Edington Square. The area is patrolled by response teams, as well as neighbourhood officers. A crime reduction adviser is also working with the team, and has drawn up a plan to help reduce the incidents.

"Criminal damage is a mindless act. It accounts for 40 per cent of the recorded crime in the district.

"It is taken seriously in West Oxfordshire, with every offence reported being investigated fully. We would urge anyone who has any information on any of these crimes to contact us."

To contact police about this matter, or to report criminal damage, call 0845 8505 505.