A KENDAL headteacher has condemned the ‘mindless’ vandals targeting the school’s playgrounds.

A spate of incidents at Heron Hill Primary School has seen youths entering the grounds after hours, smashing bottles on the ground and vandalising the nursery play area.

“It’s a great shame because we would like people to be able to enjoy the area,” said head Peter Hicks.

“Our outdoor spaces and buildings are all for the benefit of children and it’s such a shame when people misuse them.

“Having broken glass on the ground when little children are arriving at school is not very nice.”

The first incident took place the weekend before last and when staff arrived on Monday morning (March 23) they found all the outdoor nursery toys, including a paddling pool and sandpit, had been left ‘in a big heap on the floor’.

The offenders continued to come onto the school’s premises after hours for the next three days, leaving smashed glass on the floor and vandalising the school’s sign, leaving dents, scratches and graffiti.

Damage costing £30 was also caused to a locked gate that was forced open, believed to be on Tuesday.

In addition, the vandals have pulled down bird feeders used by some classes for observing wildlife and thrown them around.

Mr Hicks said the school was in the process of installing CCTV, adding: “It’s a shame because it’s going to cost us thousands of pounds due to the size of the site.

“It means we won’t be spending that money on things for the children, but we’ve reached a point where we can’t afford not to have it.

“We don’t want to have to be a fortress with high gates and 10ft fences – we’re a community school and that’s not what we’re about.

“We would like to be as open as we can be but unfortunately some people are abusing that – this is mindless vandalism and the children are suffering for it.”

Police have agreed to put on regular patrols near the school, and are appealing for anyone with information about the incidents to contact PC Everett on 101.