VANDALS broke into a charity-run preschool and vandalised the site, throwing paint across equipment and destroying items, bosses have revealed. 

Whitehouse Playgroup pre-school, in Benvenue Avenue, Eastwood, had its outdoor setting destroyed by vandals in a third attack within just a few weeks overnight on Wednesday.

The pre-school’s outdoor space is currently situated in a large gazebo, so doesn’t have much security.

The side panel had been ripped open, with chairs been pulled apart and broken, and acrylic paint thrown over equipment.

Some of the small resources and toys had also been taken.

Manager Paula Naill said: “This is very upsetting for our staff and the children.

“We are a charity-run preschool and the added cost of repairing damage and replacing the resources will have a detrimental effect.

“Although this has been an upsetting time, we will not let this impact on the children’s time with us.

“We have an amazing team and families here to support us, and they were on site straight away to help us with the clean-up.

“However, with this being the third time in as many weeks, we have taken the decision to remove this area for the time being, as we try to limit the risk of anything happening again.

“This area will be back, bigger and better.”

This is the third time the school has been hit by an attack like this within the last month, with the others discovered on June 27, and July 4.

The preschool has been serving the families of Eastwood for 50 years and are governed by a committee made up of parent volunteers.

Parents have since set up a GoFundMe to help support the pre-school and keep it secure.

Police are also investigating the break-in and have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We were called to Heycroft Primary School in Eastwood yesterday following reports of a burglary and criminal damage. The burglary is believed to have taken place sometime between 4pm Wednesday  and 8am Thursday. 

“Enquiries remain ongoing and no arrests have been made at this stage. 

“Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact us quoting reference number 42/182576/22”

To donate, visit https://bit.ly/3Og0uhr