Upset as vandals target Oswestry nursery play area
Vandals wrecked an Oswestry nursery’s outdoor play area, causing hundreds of pounds of damage in a “senseless” act.
Heartbroken children at Kidszone Day Nursery, based at the Eastern Oswestry Community Centre in Cabin Lane, returned after the weekend to discover extensive damage to their playground.
The culprits – believed to have gained access to the playground by climbing over the fence – ripped down signs and children’s work, pulled out vegetables that the children had planted in their vegetable patch, kicked chairs, dropped litter, as well as stealing baby play mats and a number of wind chimes.
It’s thought a group of up to 12 teenagers were involved in the vandalism.
Devastated staff at the nursery were forced to keep youngsters indoors yesterday because of the damage caused in the playground.
The damage is expected to cost the nursery about £700.
Nursery manager Kerry Davies said described the vandal’s actions as “senseless”.
She said: “The children and the staff are absolutely devastated here. We just don’t understand why anyone would do this, it really is awful and what I find most upsetting is this all means nothing to the culprits but to our children here, this playground is so important to them.
“In the last few weeks the children have been learning how food is grown, so have planted veg in the vegetable garden, that’s been pulled out. They’ve also had their work that was displayed ripped down.
“The children’s favourite place to play – the mud kitchen – has been damaged. So has the shed, the baby’s mats for their tummy time have been taken, as have the wind chimes hanging up here.
“It’s just totally mindless, horrible behaviour.”
West Mercia Police are now investigating the damage caused at the nursery.
Anne Tugwell, a spokeswoman for the force, said: “Between 6pm on April 28 and 7.25am on May 2, offenders have entered and damaged the playground and stolen a large gym mat.
“Anyone with information is asked to call West Mercia Police on 101 quoting incident 111S of May 2.”
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org
