Vandals wreck Plymouth nursery garden play equipment
YOUNGSTERS have been left 'really upset' after vandals trashed their nursery's garden.
Austin Farm Nursery, in Plympton, has been vandalised and a new wooden climbing frame damaged.
In June, children, staff and families undertook a sponsored walk to fundraise for items for the nursery and garden but now the site has been wrecked.
Lorraine Hargreaves, childcare manager for Austin Farm Nursery, said: "It's frustrating, we are a charity nursery, we don't get any money at all. We won't be able to get the money back that we had raised.
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"The children have been really upset because they aren't able to play outside.
"We have been trying to develop the garden area as one of our priorities to support the children's learning and physical development.
"The children have been loving this and families have commented on how lovely it looks and what a start it is to the development of the garden."
The crime was committed some time between 6pm on Friday September 28 and 7.20am on Monday October 1 when Lorraine unlocked the building.
She was completing the usual risk assessments of the building and then saw numerous items broken including the climbing frame.
"The children's bikes had been flung in the school garden, they had broken blinds and parts of the children's quiet area and the security fencing around the nursery garden had been broken, meaning our garden was not safe for the children to play in.
"The vandals had also smashed a security light on the premises."
The nursery organises fundraising events regularly to purchase new items but it is currently struggling with the current financial climate.
Lorraine added: "The staff all feel very saddened that their hard work has gone to waste in developing the garden and future developments have been put on hold."
A police spokesperson said: "If anyone saw anyone acting suspiciously around that time and in that area then please come forward."
Police are appealing to anyone who either may have witnessed any of these incidents or has any information regarding them to contact them on 101 quoting police reference EL/12/4344.
Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Comments
by Workitout
Friday, October 05 2012, 10:01PM
“Get the gits that recked it then get their parents to pay.
Do not claim insurance...get the cause.”
by whinger7643
Friday, October 05 2012, 5:12PM
“Entirely agree with you belly1234, but should these empty headed sh*its ever get caught, i think that many of us would love to see the reintroduction of stocks especially for such evil gits. 48 hours a week in the city centre would be much more satisfying that useless community service.”
by scrunch2005
Friday, October 05 2012, 3:28PM
“Whilst not undemining the efforts of the nursery in raising the funds for the playarea, surely they are insured so the equipment can be replaced?”
by BettyD
Friday, October 05 2012, 12:10PM
“Err since when has Austin Farm been in Plympton?????”
by ceebeeone
Friday, October 05 2012, 10:57AM
“This is where some kind business person could step in and share a bit of wealth - maybe Sutton Harbour Holdings - are you reading this Natasha Gadsdon - Finance Director??”
by belly1234
Friday, October 05 2012, 10:32AM
“No doubt it will have been some mindless teenagers half cut on cheap cider or high on drugs who have spoiled the enjoyment of some young children they have never met and done nothing wrong to them. Unfortunately if they were ever caught there is every chance they would not go to court and would get a police reprimand or caution. Even if they did go to court what could they really expect to be given as a punishment? Attend a meeting with the Youth Offending Team twice a week after school for a month and then once a week for two months. Yes they must be sh&tting themselves with fear.”