Witham: "Mindless damage" upsets kids (From Braintree and Witham Times)

Witham: "Mindless damage" upsets kids

10:10am Thursday 9th July 2009

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Police are appealing for information after yobs wrecked the garden of a top pre-school.

Chipping Hill Pre-School in Witham was targeted by vandals last week and youngsters were left "devastated" after planting work in the garden was ruined.

Between 2.45pm on June 29 and 7.45am on June 30 the garden at the Bethel Christian Fellowship Hall, Church Street, Witham, was trashed, wrecking tomato plants, sunflowers, strawberry plants, sweetcorn and chilli plants.

A fence was smashed and furniture damaged and sand was also tipped from sandpits around the garden.

Jackie Brannan, manager of the pre-school, said: "All of the children have planted lots, it was wonderful and they are devastated.

"We have had kids coming in the garden now and again in the past, but there's never been any damage."

The pre-school, which was rated as good by Ofsted in May, also had toys broken.

A couple of hundred pounds is thought to be needed to help restore the garden.

Witham Inspector Mick Pitcher said: “These yobs smashed up the garden of a pre-school, causing a lot of mindless damage and upsetting very young children who use the area to play in. We take this type of crime very seriously and, if you have any information about this incident, I would urge you to contact police in Witham.”

Parents helped tidy the garden last week and a coffee morning was organised for Tuesday morning to help raise cash.

Call 0300 333 4444 with any information.

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