STAFF at a nursery which cares for disabled children have been left devastated after vandals wrecked the youngsters’ playground.

Stepping Stones Play and Learn group in Barrack Street, Colchester, was targeted by thugs over the weekend.

Vandals got in by prying open the metal bars to the grounds and then damaged play equipment, cut locks to the storage room and toys, bikes and paint were thrown everywhere.

The nursery, which is known for its work with autistic children, said the incident has caused much distress.

Like many nurseries across the country, Stepping Stones has had its share of difficulties due to the Covid pandemic.

Administration officer Liz Taverner said: “The way they destroyed it is just mindless, totally mindless.

“You have to think about our families which have to cope with everything that’s going on.

“I came in in the morning because I saw one or two things that didn’t look right.

Gazette: Paint and shaving foam in the nursery

“They took the spikes off the higher exit gate, climbed over and prised the solid metal gate open just enough to squeeze through. It’s like they came prepared.

“They’ve cut the locks off the outside classroom and the storage shed – it’s like they were looking for stuff to sell, I don’t know.

Gazette: Damage to door which looks forced open

“Then, on top of that, they’ve thrown paint and shaving foam all over the classroom.

“You just think ‘Why?’.

“You just want to cry for the families.”

Despite the storage shed being opened, it seems nothing was stolen.

She added: “This looks more than seven or eight-year-olds up to mischief.

“It’s just so sad. There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to it.

“It’s just another thing for the parents to worry about. Their pain is our pain.”

Police have been contacted about the incident and CCTV footage is set to be reviewed.