VANDALS have frequently targeted Cricklade's schools for the past three years.

The ground of St Sampson's Infant and Junior Schools are often left covered in smashed bottles and litter.

During the Easter break, a window at the junior school had been opened but no one had entered the premises or caused any damage.

Last summer, windows and part of the fence was broken causing nearly £1,000 in damage.

Other items such as condoms and syringes were found in the play-ground in October.

In January, community groups sent out a letter to residents asking them to take more pride in their town because vandalism had got worse over the past couple of years.

Nikki Lawrence, headteacher at St Sampson's Infants School, said: "We have been working with the police to try to tackle this ongoing problem.

"There are not enough beat bobbies but if there were more visible officers then this kind of thing might happen less. Officers have to come out from other areas, it would be nice to have more in the station."