'Please help us to catch these yobs' (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

'Please help us to catch these yobs'

Ref. 29073-11VANDALS have delayed plans for a special outdoor play area at a Swindon playgroup. Children at Moredon Playgroup had been looking forward to using the play area for the first time in two years when the vandals struck.

Ofsted inspectors had said the area could not be used because of rubbish and litter left there by youths who congregate at Moredon Commu-nity Centre, where the group is based.

But after a clear-up, inspectors said children could play there again.

Playgroup leaders had hoped this week's warmer weather would mean the children could use it for the first time.

But their hopes were dashed when vandals kicked in a fence on Wednesday night, causing damage put at between £200 and £300.

Nikki Millington, who runs the playgroup, which has 38 children between two and five, said: "It is really upsetting and annoying.

"We had only just received our latest Ofsted inspection saying we could use the site again when this happened.

"It is mindless vandalism, and what really annoys me is that they seem to think it is okay to do it.

"We are a non-profit making group which has been serving the community for 31 years.

"If parents see this kind of damage they will not want to bring their children here."

The group had planned to paint the area in bright colours. But cash intended for the revamp will now have to be used to repair the damaged fence.

The vandal attack happened between 10pm and 10.30pm.

A witnesses saw a group of six youths aged around 18 hanging around the area at the time.

The community centre, in The Street, Moredon, has suffered from a number of youth problems in recent months.

Gangs of up to 20 teenagers between 14 and 18 have been causing a nuisance there.

Bottles have been smashed in the car park, and the area left strewn with litter.

They have also been getting on the roof and pulling off the guttering.

Sgt Ian Dudley of Swindon Police said: "This was a particularly heartless act and we would ask the community to do all it can to assist us in catching these yobs."

Anyone with information about the damage to the fence should call Swindon police on 01793 528111.

tlal@newswilts.co.uk