Newton Mearns nursery trashed and damaged by vandals during lockdown

Kirktonholme Childcare Mearnswood was broken into just before the country went into lockdown, and has continued to be a target for vandals over recent weeks.

Robyn Colquhoun, manager of the private nursery, has regularly checked the premises throughout lockdown – and each time she has found more damage and vandalism to the property.

She’s now eager to make the local community aware of what’s going on and is seeking their help by reporting anything suspicious or people gathering in the area of the nursery. And she’s encouraging parents in the are to know where their children are.

Robyn said: “Our site and many other nurseries across East Renfrewshire have been targeted over the last year, suffering vandalism, break-ins and thefts. We feel that we want to get this out to the local community, especially during a time when we should be at home.

“Even now, during lockdown, each time I return to find more vandalism.”

The police are aware problems, both past and present, experienced by the nursery.

Kirktonholme Childcare Mearnswood is situated in the woodland so the police have been involved for a while as it can be an area used by teenagers looking to find somewhere hidden to congregate and drink.

Robyn added: “We are unsure of who is causing the damage but suspect it could be teenagers from around local area. However, being near the train station and having Barrhead just a stone’s throw away, we know they could be coming from other areas to find somewhere to cause damage.”

Just before lockdown, the nursery was broken into. A number of other nurseries in the area have also been targeted this year.

Given the nursery’s location, it has quite high security, including shutters on all the windows.

“The week before lockdown someone managed to completely pull our shutters apart and smash windows into our baby room,” said Robyn. “The police believe they were looking for cash as no items were taken, but no nurseries tend keep any amounts of cash on site.”

Robyn continued: “We just feel, at such a difficult time for everyone, and at a time when we should be staying home, there must be teenagers who are not at home or following the rules.

“Since we have been closed, we have had small fires causing damage to our gardens, fencing broken down, and constant litter and rubbish, and broken glass from alcohol bottles they have smashed.

“Our children are so looking forward to returning and we want that to be a place that they can return to safely without any damage.”