Vandals go on a wrecking spree at special school unit

Staff at the former premises of the Sir Tom Finney Community High School on Moor Park, Preston, say dozens of windows have been put through and thousands of roof tiles smashed in a 10-month campaign of destruction.

Five separate attacks were made on the site - currently being refurbished - in October alone, with 28 windows being broken by missiles.

“It’s just relentless,” said a staff member at Larches House School in Ashton which is due to move into the building once work is complete.

“It has cost us a fortune - at least £20,000 since this all began - and that will have to come out of the money set aside for refurbishment.”

Police appealed for anyone with information about those involved to get in touch on 101.

Larches took over the site in July last year from the Sir Tom Finney School which vacated it in 2013 to move to premises in Ribbleton.

Larches Medical, which helps children absent from mainstream school on health grounds, has already moved in, with Larches House - a unit for youngsters excluded from other schools - due to follow when the refurbishment is complete.

The vandalism started at the end of December, with the first attack smashing around 20 windows and 3,000 roof tiles. Damage has continued, with five attacks being reported to police last month alone, involving a total of 28 windows.

“The damage to the roof was unbelievable,” said the staff member. “It was just devastation. It’s mainly at weekends when they attack.

“We think they are kids and could be the same gang which has caused damage at Preston North End recent