PLAY AREA WRECKED BY VANDALS

Kids kept in doors over broken glass fears

Vandals wrecked a nursery’s outdoor play area – causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage – in a “sickening” act carried out during the school holidays.

Heartbroken children at Kirkshaws Primary School’s nursery returned after the October break to discover their beloved play facility in ruins.

The cold-hearted culprits – believed to have gained access to the play area by climbing over the Coatbridge school’s roof – smashed mirrors, broke a door and damaged other items including chalkboards.

Devastated and concerned staff at the Old Monkland Road nursery had to keep the youngsters indoors on Monday to ensure they didn’t cut themselves on the broken glass left behind.

Distraught Kirkshaws

Primary and Nursery head teacher Roddy Clark told the Advertiser: “Our nursery outdoor play area was vandalised over the October break, which was particularly sickening as we have spent a lot of time, effort and money on improving this facility for our children.

“This work included our school community as we had parents and friends heavily involved in helping to make the improvements.

“There is a high fence at the rear of this area which has anti-vandalism paint on it but we think the vandals simply came over the flat roof of the school and into the central area.

“They smashed a large mirror and mirrored numbers designed for the children, damaged an outside hose, three insect houses, chalkboards and various mud pie resources, and the door was broken off the playhouse.

“We couldn’t put the children out to play on our Monday return until we were sure the broken glass had all been cleared.

“To replace all of the damaged items will cost us hundreds of pounds, which is the last thing we need right now.

“We would like to ask our community who live near the school to call the police if they see anyone in the school grounds, particularly over weekends and holidays.”

Outraged parents took to the Advertiser’s and the school’s Twitter pages to voice their disgust at the vandalism and those responsible.

Brian Gilmour said: “Yet more vandalism at KPS. Heartbreaking for the kids. Hopefully some kind souls can lend their expertise to fix it up.”

Lynn Muirhead added: “It’s time we took some drastic action and stand up for the kids. So angry.”

Mum Fiona Collin tweeted: “Horrible news. Leave the kids at peace. So much hard work went into making a special place for them.”

Gill Watson labelled the attack “absolutely disgusting.”

Police are investigating the incident but Inspector Louise Brownlie warned vandalism to schools is becoming a widespread issue.

She said: “There have been numerous reports of damage caused to various schools throughout Monklands over the past few months.

“The damage has ranged from fire damage to broken windows and doors.

“Vandalism to schools not only causes issues with repairing damage and finding the funds to facilitate this but also great distress to staff and pupils, especially when course work and projects are damaged or destroyed.

“Monklands police will take all necessary steps to identify those responsible and deal with them appropriately.”

Information on the vandalism at Kirkshaws can be provided by calling the non- emergency 101 number or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Target Kirkshaws Primary