Schoolchildren are determined not to be beaten by yobs who have attacked their new wildlife and flower garden.

Days after a willow tunnel was added to their plot at Lees School, Cross Roads, near Haworth, vandals invaded the playground and ripped it apart.

Earlier in the summer, just after the garden was constructed by volunteers and bulbs planted by children, louts ripped them up.

But yesterday pupils including ten-year-old Lauren Pedley, Jethro Rainford, 11, and Adrian Wilson, ten, were out cleaning up and preparing for the Spring.

"I feel the people who did it should be traced down and punished and pay for the damage," said Jethro.

Adrian added: "I think we should get CCTV and hide it where the damage is being done."

Lauren said: "We could save up some money to get some magic eyes to put around the playground."

The vandals are suspected to be teenagers who trespasses onto school property and gather in the playground shelter. Staff have found evidence of drug-taking, cannabis paraphernalia and the consumption of alcohol.

Head Teacher Jean Richards has called on police to increase their patrols.

Through the school newsletter she is recruiting parents by urging them to report any youngsters trespassing in the grounds after school has finished.

She said: "They climb over the wall and get into the school grounds. They use the shelter and we also believe they sit on the benches in the playground where they can't be seen.

"We have found evidence of cannabis use and of drinking alcohol. They even smash the bottles when they have finished. It means we have to sweep up the playground in the mornings before we can let the children out."

Teacher Kathryn Bottomley healthy schools co-ordinator, said: "It is a great shame when all this work has been done by volunteers and the children and then this happens."

A police spokesman said PC Graham Jessop, of the neighbourhood policing team, was aware of the problem and would continue to work with the school and residents to resolve further problems.

People could report concerns by using the police contact point which could be found by accessing westyorkshire.police.uk/npt.

e.mail: clive.white@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

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