An investigation has been launched after vandals caused 'extensive damage' at an Oldham school. Police were called to reports of the incident at Oasis Academy Clarksfield on Friday evening (July 24).
Vandals forced entry through fence
According to the school, witnesses described a group of 'teenagers' forcing their way onto the playground of the building on Grasmere Road by cutting through a fence and breaking a gate lock. The vandals shattered playground equipment and inscribed 'offensive' and 'abusive' language around the playground. The school say the relevant CCTV footage has been provided to Greater Manchester Police.
Headteacher's statement
A statement from Oasis Academy Clarksfield headteacher, Mrs Howard, read: "We are saddened to share that our school has been targeted by vandals this evening. Those responsible appear to have forced entry by cutting through the perimeter fence and breaking the gate lock before causing extensive damage across the school grounds. Witnesses have described those responsible as teenagers. Playground equipment has been deliberately damaged, sheds have been forced open and damaged, toys have been smashed, basketball hoops have been broken, planters have been overturned, and offensive words chalked onto the playground containing abusive language too offensive for social media. The damage is estimated to be hundreds if not thousands of pounds."
Police investigation ongoing
GMP say they were called to the incident on Friday and investigations are ongoing. The school said: "This has been reported to the police this evening and is being treated as criminal damage and trespassing. We are now reviewing our CCTV footage, which covers the affected areas, and any relevant footage will be passed directly to the police as part of their investigation. We would ask all parents and carers to have a conversation with their teenagers. If your child was not at home this evening, do you know where they were and who they were with? If anyone has any information that could assist the investigation, no matter how small it may seem, please contact the police on 101, or contact the school directly in confidence."
Mrs Howard added: "This is incredibly disappointing. Our school is a place for children to learn, play and thrive, and the cost of repairing this needless damage ultimately affects the whole school community. I would however also like to thank our fantastic neighbours who alerted us to this incident and our wonderful friends at Bilal Mosque for their support. We hope those responsible are identified and held accountable for their actions."
