Stepping Stones, Colchester, repeatedly targeted by vandals

Nursery co-ordinator Sue Townsend says Stepping Stones Play and Learn Group is £5,000 out of pocket due to damage caused by the vandals.

And the premises, which educates mainstream children and those with additional needs, could be set to lose another vital revenue stream due to destruction caused to its clothes bank.

The charity, in Barrack Road, Colchester, has seen its roof, car park and fencing vandalised so far in 2022.

Mrs Townsend explained youngsters have “taken the mick” when breaking into Stepping Stones’ garden and played with trikes and other equipment.

Targeted - Stepping Stones, in Barrack Street

“The knock-on effect of this is we’ve had to dismantle a shed they climb on top of to gain access, and because there’s nowhere else to put it we’ve had to get rid,” she said.

“Children are losing equipment and activities because we are having to move everything away from the fence.”

Bosses at the nursery, which is run by a charity, have also recently had to remove a second shed used for storing recycled clothes - a service which brings in a lifeline £800 a year.

“There is also the extra expense of paying for very solid gates built to keep these people out,” added the nursery co-ordinator.

“For us it's very much these little hits which are leading to things being taken away and affecting us funding-wise.

Coordinator - Sue Townsend

“Anything that gets damaged has to be replaced. It’s upsetting because we work hard to raise money and we just get disrespected by these people.”

Mrs Townsend revealed she now fears for the future of the site, which is based in the Essex County Council-owned Wilson Marriage Centre.

She added: “Thinking long-term, if the centre keeps getting consistently targeted as it is, running into thousands of pounds worth of damage, will the council keep it open?

“I fear they will think to themselves this service is not worth keeping up at this location and they’ll look elsewhere.

“But if the centre shuts, so do we.”