AN angry councillor is offering a £100 reward to help catch those responsible for vandalism and an attempted break in at a family support centre.

Yobs targeted the Berechurch Family Hub, in School Road, Colchester, breaking windows, destroying plants, uprooting trees and starting a small fire in the premises’ sensory garden.

Children’s homework was discovered half burnt on site, so it is believed the damage was done by a group of youngsters.

Essex county councillor Dave Harris is putting up £100 of his own money to try to bring the culprits to justice.

Mr Harris said: “This behaviour needs bringing to the attention of the parents of those who are destroying what the community is trying to build.

“As chairman of the Colchester District Advisory Board, I see first hand daily the work of the wonderful teams from the Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service based at the family hub supporting my community in difficult times.

“This latest vandalism and attempts of break-in, and indeed arson, is an insult to the work of the teams, the community service and people who are trying to build a quiet garden, and sensory site for my neighbours.

“I am donating some anti-climb paint to the family hub to help combat this dreadful attitude by the few, to defend the many.

“With my offer of a reward I hope it will make sure we keep a watchful eye to nip this latest behaviour in the bud.”

Berechurch Family Hub is run by Virgin Care on behalf of the Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service.

The centre offers a range of services for families and has on-site support workers, group meet ups and a specialist sensory room.

Richard Comerford, managing director of Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service, said: “It is deeply upsetting for our colleagues, as well as the families and children who use our services, to think vandals would choose to target such a valuable community resource

“Berechurch Family Hub exists to help children and families and as we continue to see the destructive impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the services offered from here have never been more important.”

“I would please urge anyone with any information about who did this to please contact the police.”

Anyone with information about the vandalism, which took place last weekend, should contact police on 101.