Toddlers' toys trashed by vandals

TODDLERS and youngsters are today left without play equipment after heartless vandals broke into their nursery, destroying toys and plastering abusive graffiti across the walls.

The break-in happened at Quayside Nursery in Rope Walk, at the rear of University Campus Suffolk, overnight on Monday.

Sue Brown, deputy manager at the children's centre, said staff were upset and shocked to discover the destruction when they arrived for work yesterday.

She said the nursery itself was not affected but vandals broke into the play area, breaking the play house, pulling up plants and writing foul graffiti across the walls.

“We arrived to find the area vandalised, the play house was broken, plants had been pulled out, pumpkins the children were growing were pulled out and smashed and there was graffiti all over the walls - unpleasant swear words,” she said.

“I cannot believe what people think they can get out of things like this. We all felt quite upset when we saw it.

“This is the worst incident like it here. We have had people move things around before but never anything like this.

“I feel sad that people feel the need to do something like this. We are a nursery looking after children from three months to five.

“It is the children who are suffering - their toys have been broken and they are not allowed outside at the moment until it is all cleared up.”

A spokeswoman for Suffolk police said the force received a call at about 8.35am yesterday to reports of criminal damage.

She said the offence happened at some time after 8.40pm on Monday night.

Anyone with any information which could assist officers with their enquiries is asked to contact Ipswich police on 01473 613500.

Have you fallen victim to mindless vandals? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk