School vandals are 'mindless' (From Barry And District News)

School vandals are 'mindless'

THE head teacher of a Barry primary school has slammed the'mindless' vandals who cut down trees, damaged the school grounds and tried to set fire to the nursery.

In the early hours of Satur-day a group of youths were seen in the area of Colcot Primary School, where the vandalism took place.

Head Ieuan Richards said: "It is very disheartening that this happens. We all work so hard for the school.

"Not only did they cut down the trees, but they also tried to start a fire next to the nursery building. It was just mindless vandalism. I find it staggering that this has been done.

"The vandals also pushed over two of the bins which are quite heavy.

"This is not the first instance of vandalism - there have been other occasions the school has been targeted."

Mr Richards said the school gates are left open overnight and on weekends to allow emergency access for the fire service if needed.

Vale of Glamorgan Council Operational Manager for Parks and Grounds Maintenance, Phil Beaman, said: "The council will remove the trees from the grounds, but schools hold their own budgets with an allocation for grounds maintenance and will need to pay for any replacement trees.

"The council's education department is unaware of any arrangement with the fire service that the school gates are left unlocked to allow access to fire engines.

"Efforts to contact the fire service to discuss this matter have so far failed, but the council will continue trying to make contact in a bid to improve security at the school and prevent further vandalism."