Vandals spray paint all over Portsmouth nursery and force it to shut

VANDALS have trashed a nursery by spraying paint and letting off fire extinguishers across a classroom after breaking in – causing thousands of pounds of damage.
By Ben Fishwick
Published 25th Feb 2020, 16:00 BST
Updated 25th Feb 2020, 18:44 BST
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Arundel Court’s nursery has been forced to close tomorrow and today due to the mess made. The primary school remains open.

Yobs who sprayed paint across walls, a television and the floor in the single nursery classroom have left staff upset at Arundel Court Primary Academy & Nursery in Northam Street, Landport.

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Carpets have to be ripped up and toys thrown away after fire extinguishers were let off all over them. The nursery is using the school hall from Thursday but for shorter opening hours.

Vandals have damaged the nursery room at Arundel Court Primary Academy & Nursery in Northam Street, Landport. Picture: Arundel Court Primary Academy & NurseryVandals have damaged the nursery room at Arundel Court Primary Academy & Nursery in Northam Street, Landport. Picture: Arundel Court Primary Academy & Nursery
Vandals have damaged the nursery room at Arundel Court Primary Academy & Nursery in Northam Street, Landport. Picture: Arundel Court Primary Academy & Nursery

Industrial cleaners are being brought in to clear up what can be salvaged.

Images posted on Facebook show just some of the havoc wreaked, headteacher Karen Stocks said.

She told The News: ‘We’ve had an overwhelming response, overwhelming support from the community really.

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‘I have been in tears most of the day because of the generosity. We’ve got a couple of people coming down later today – it’s just fantastic.

Vandals have damaged the nursery room at Arundel Court Primary Academy & Nursery in Northam Street, Landport. Picture: Arundel Court Primary Academy & NurseryVandals have damaged the nursery room at Arundel Court Primary Academy & Nursery in Northam Street, Landport. Picture: Arundel Court Primary Academy & Nursery
Vandals have damaged the nursery room at Arundel Court Primary Academy & Nursery in Northam Street, Landport. Picture: Arundel Court Primary Academy & Nursery

‘It’s great Dunkirk spirit.’

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Disgusted staff found the mess this morning and reported the incident to police at 7am. The damage was done overnight, Hampshire police said.

Posting on Facebook, the nursery said: ‘Sadly last night our nursery was broken into and horrifically vandalised causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.’

Vandals have damaged the nursery room at Arundel Court Primary Academy & Nursery in Northam Street, Landport. Picture: Arundel Court Primary Academy & NurseryVandals have damaged the nursery room at Arundel Court Primary Academy & Nursery in Northam Street, Landport. Picture: Arundel Court Primary Academy & Nursery
Vandals have damaged the nursery room at Arundel Court Primary Academy & Nursery in Northam Street, Landport. Picture: Arundel Court Primary Academy & Nursery

In a second post staff said: ‘We have been overwhelmed with the support from everyone in the local community and beyond.

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‘We very much appreciate the kind offers of help, however at this present moment it will take an industrial clean and replacement of equipment to put this right.’

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Posting on the school’s page, one person said: ‘Absolutely shocking, best school I know. Obviously kids – hope they get caught for this. So wrong.’

Vandals have damaged the nursery room at Arundel Court Primary Academy & Nursery in Northam Street, Landport. Picture: Arundel Court Primary Academy & NurseryVandals have damaged the nursery room at Arundel Court Primary Academy & Nursery in Northam Street, Landport. Picture: Arundel Court Primary Academy & Nursery
Vandals have damaged the nursery room at Arundel Court Primary Academy & Nursery in Northam Street, Landport. Picture: Arundel Court Primary Academy & Nursery

Another added: ‘Oh, no! It's shocking. I hope you find who has done this mindless act.’

A Hampshire police spokeswoman said they were called at 7am. She said: ‘Entry was gained overnight, and damage was caused to various items within the site.’

Nothing was stolen. Call 101 quoting 44200071241.