Children devastated by attack on garden

A gang of teenagers have smashed a primary school garden to pieces, in what is believed to be a revenge attack against the headmaster.

Priory Primary School, in Friar Park, Wednesbury, was targeted by the teenage vandals.It came after they were told off by headteacher Trevor Hancock for trespassing on school grounds after hours.

The 10-strong gang, who concealed their identity with scarves and hoodies, smashed a greenhouse and cold frames as well as destroying family allotments.

Children as young as five are said to be devastated by the attack, which has been caught on CCTV.

Mr Hancock said: "Youths had been breaking the fence to get onto the school field to play football, so I came to an arrangement with them that they could use the pitches until the site closes for the day at 7pm.

"However, they broke their side of the bargain, verbally abusing my staff and staying on site until late at night – some drinking and smoking drugs – so I told them the deal was off.

"As a consequence 10 minutes after the school was locked up on Thursday night, we have CCTV of a 10-strong gang climbing over the fence and smashing the place to bits.

The greenhouse, the cold frames, where we propagate the plants, everything has been smashed to pieces as well as the family allotments.

"We have only had this equipment, for a year and it will all have to be replaced."The children are upset, angry and confused about why they have been targeted in this way."

Mr Hancock said the school has had problems caused by vandals in the past and has had tricycles and play equipment stolen from the playground.

Inspector Akeel Najib of Wednesbury Police Station said: "The matter has been reported and we are now examining the CCTV footage.

"We already have an idea of who these offenders are."This is a serious attack on a primary school at the heart of the community and we are taking it extremely seriously."