Wendy house wrecked again in vandals' hate campaign

Published on Saturday 16 June 2007 13:08

VANDALS trashed a toddlers' Wendy house for the fourth time in six months as part of a "hate campaign" against their nursery.

The yobs wrecked the wooden house and left the play area at St Mark's Nursery strewn with beer cans, forcing the children to stay indoors until the damage can be repaired.

The Wendy house was paid for with cash raised at a teddy bears' picnic and has seen 500 worth of damage since it was built at the turn of the year.

Last night the Radio Forth Help A Child Appeal donated 3000 to the Firrhill Crescent nursery to help buy new equipment and install CCTV cameras.

Nursery nurse Audrey Lamb, 47, said: "We were going to have to fund-raise again. I never dreamt we would get the money to fix it."

Earlier, a distraught Ms Lamb said it was the 52 children who attend the nursery who were suffering because of the vandalism

"This is the fourth time in six months they have attacked us," she said. "It's become a hate campaign - I don't know what they have against us.

"The Wendy house looked like a hurricane had hit it, it was shocking.

"They had kicked the doors in, smashed all the windows and ripped its interior out.

"The rest of the playpark was strewn with bits of wood as well as cigarette butts and empty beer cans - it was disgusting.

"They also spray painted 'say no to teachers' on the house inside wall, which I found quite ironic - clearly they didn't.

"We are forced to keep the kids inside now, which is terrible seeing as it's summer."

Mum Alison Salvona, 34, said her three-year-old son Max has been in tears since he saw the damage.

"My wee boy was devastated when he saw what had happened, it's just shocking.

"He stares at the play area from the nursery window and just cries - it's really heart wrenching.

"The people who caused this damage are just evil."

The 1000 Wendy house was paid for after the nursery kids held a sponsored teddy bears' picnic.

In the six months it has been up, it's been attacked four times causing 500 worth of damage, not including the latest attack last Wednesday night.

Headmistress Patricia Barclay, 52, hopes the community will help catch the culprits.

She said: "There are lots of houses overlooking the nursery so we hope the public will call the police if they see anyone in the playpark.

"We are also hoping to have CCTV cameras installed as well as new security lights. The police have told us they'll be keeping a closer eye on the place, which will hopefully act as a deterrent.

"It's nothing but malicious vandalism by depraved individuals - it's such a selfish act.

"The repairs won't be finished until after the term ends so the kids won't be able to use the garden until August."

Police last night confirmed they are determined to catch those responsible.

Inspector Sue Wilson said: "We have increased the number of patrols in the area and are also following up a couple of positive lines of inquiry.

"We are also looking to speak to locals who have previously been charged with similar offences."