POLICE in Derry are appealing for information about “appalling” criminal damage by thugs to a children’s centre in the city.
Police Derry City and Strabane say: “Foyleside and Moor Neighbourhood Team are currently investigating Criminal Damage to the outdoor resources at the Little Acorns Children Centre in the Benview Estate.
“The damage shown in these photos means the children in the nursery cannot use their outdoor play area, until it is returned to a safe state.
“It is believed this occurred sometime between 1pm on Friday 7th May and 8am on Monday 10th May.
“If anyone has any information in relation to this please contact Constable Rutledge on 101 quoting ref 405 of 11/05/21.”
Little Acorns Children Centre said on its Facebook page: “We are asking our local community to please keep an eye out for anyone you may see entering our premises during closed hours and report this to us.
“We are deeply saddened to have found that for a second time in a matter of days our school playground has been vandalised.
“Our playground is private property and is not open to the public therefore anyone gaining access to our playground is trespassing on private property.
“Furthermore those that are doing this are putting themselves at danger if they are climbing the fences to get into the playground.
“A lot of our outdoor resources have now been damaged.
“Our mud kitchen that was handmade and donated to us has had the door pulled off and all of the utensils broken or damaged.
“Our swings have been cracked and broken beyond repair.
“Our little friendly garden animals have been smashed to peices with bricks.
“Our oil tank has been tampered with and the overall state that our playground has been left in is appalling not to mention too dangerous for our children to now access.
“We have reached out to local community officers who are now in the process of helping us to tidy up and repair what we can.
“This type of behaviour will not be tolerated within our community.”
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