Mindless vandalism of a Tenby primary school’s outdoor woodland learning facility has been condemned by police and members of the community.
Recently, Ysgol Hafan Y Mor situated at Heywood Lane shared images on social media of damage caused at the outdoor roundhouse, including offensive graffiti and CCTV cameras being smashed.
“Sad news! Despite the extensive work and investment undertaken last summer, it is deeply disheartening to report that the roundhouse and surrounding woodland area have once again suffered damage,” the school shared on Facebook.
“The matter has been reported to the police. It is incredibly saddening to see the impact of this vandalism, as the planned ‘Muddy Wednesday’ activities for the children have had to be postponed. Regrettably, the woodland is now off-limits once again.”
The school went onto give an update, stating that CCTV had been reviewed, with recordings showing five youths (four males and a female) entering the school grounds with cans and smoking, which was passed onto the police.
Following the incident of criminal damage and anti-social behaviour, police conducted joint patrols with an Arson Reduction Officer from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service at the school’s woodland area.
“ASB and criminal damage will not be tolerated in this area, and we will be taking positive action regarding this,” said a police spokesperson.
Local police officer and RNLI crew member Rob Garland also took to social media to condemn the criminal damage, along with others in the community.
“What makes it worse is that this will be youths from Tenby who have grown up with possibly brothers/sisters or friends of family with children in the school,” he commented.
“Must be some tough guys to do this to a children’s school play area!”
Others called the behaviour ‘disheartening’.
“That’s terrible, the children love that area. What is it with people!” said one, with another remarking: “Disgusting! What is happening with the young ones these days - have they no heart at all?
“This is just for kiddies, 5-10 yr olds who get so much pleasure out of these woods and learn so much. For some idiots to come along and think it's great fun to smash it all up and write obscene things around the place.
“People have worked so hard. It really would be fab to find the culprits name and shame them and have them repair paint and clean every bit of damage they have done. Make an example of them, and send a message to any one else who thinks this is fun, someone knows who they are!”
Anti-social behaviour occurring at Tenby’s multi-storey car park over the recent half-term holidays saw police forced into introducing a ‘Dispersal Zone’ around the area for 48 hours, to tackle and ban those commiting offences.
There were also reports of youths lobbing barriers into the sea at Tenby harbour during the same week.
“Parents, please be aware of where your children are and what they are up to!” said a spokesperson for the Tenby Neighbourhood Policing Team at the time.