Vandals target kids' garden at Hamilton primary school

May 26 2011 by Shirley Bartynek, Hamilton Advertiser

YOUNGSTERS at a Hamilton primary school were heartbroken this week after vandals set fire to their gardening equipment.

Staff and pupils at St John’s Primary, in Dixon Street, were also angered to find that their newly planted bulbs and flowers had also been destroyed during the act of “mindless vandalism.”

Police say it appears the thugs forced open a shed in the playground, emptied all the equipment out and set it alight.

The incident took place between 6pm on Thursday, May 19 and 7.30am the following day.

More than 30 trowels and mini wheelbarrows were destroyed as well as bulbs and flowers the children had just planted.

A spokesman for South Lanarkshire Council said: “We can confirm that vandals caused damage to the pupil garden at St John’s Primary School last Thursday evening.

“This included uprooting newly planted seeds and setting fire to tyres and gardening equipment.

“The pupils are extremely upset that all of their hard work has been undone.

“We need the help of members of the public to combat this, and all types of vandalism, and would ask that, if anyone witnesses acts of vandalism of any kind, they contact the police immediately.”

Police were this week appealing for witnesses to the vandalism.

Constable Lorna Jack of community policing, who is dealing with the enquiry, said: “This was a particularly nasty act of mindless vandalism which has no doubt caused distress to the schoolchildren.

“Thankfully the fire did not spread and cause further damage, however, we would urge anyone with information regarding the incident to get in touch with me at Hamilton Police Office. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”