Tots left in tears as vandals wreak havoc

Elizabeth Blagborough and the vandalised play area equipment

YOUNGSTERS eager for play when they turned up at nursery were confronted with a scene of devastation after vandals ran riot.

The children, and the staff who run Moorside pre-school nursery and aftercare, discovered an outdoor lock-up container had been smashed open and £2,000 worth of toys stolen.

A stage had been wrecked, and three gardens were trashed.

Owner Janet Clegg (48), of Sholver Hill Close, said the nursery, based in Haven Lane for 14 years, had been targeted by yobs for several months, but this was the last straw.

A huge fund-raising event to pay for security fencing had made £1,000, but the appeal was still £2,000 short of its target.

She said: “There is no point in us buying new equipment if the people responsible come back to steal it again.

“We bought the lock-up container two weeks ago because we have had a lot of trouble with vandals. But they still broke in and every bit of outdoor equipment we had has gone.”

The looters took bikes and rides, building bricks, and toys for children with special needs.

“It’s heartbreaking as we won’t be able to replace it. We work so hard and the little ones are really upset. Having no outdoor equipment will also affect our next Ofsted report.”

Giggle and Grow, in Horsedge Street, Oldham, has also been the target of several attacks by vandals.

Lynn Young (30), whose 20 month-old son Samuel attends the nursery, said the yobs had unbolted picnic tables and trashed equipment, followed by a break-in when a laptop and cameras were stolen.

Joint-owner Janine Holden added: “We had been working at weekends to get it ready for the children and it’s disheartening to think someone can just come in and destroy it in half an hour.

“We have only had the business for three years and we have put our heart and soul into it. It’s sickening.”

Vandals struck at Moorside between 4pm on Sunday, September 7, and 9am the following day. Giggle and Grow was broken into on the night of Wednesday, September 10.

Anyone who knows anything about either incident should contact Oldham police on 0161-872 5050 or the Crimestoppers charity (anonymously) on 0800-555111.