'Mindless vandals' target Glasgow nursery 'every single weekend'

A nursery in Glasgow has launched a fundraising campaign to help repair the damage caused by vandals who have targeted it for more than a year.

Staff at Rosshall Nursery said they have been the victim of vandalism “every single weekend” since the Easter break but said the issue started in March 2023.

Natasha MacArthur, the head of the nursery, told STV News the repeated attacks are having a “profound impact” on the children, families and staff.

She said young people were spraypainting on the walls, destroying sheds and smashing up plants.

The educator is trying to raise £2,000 for a “vital” new shed, higher fences and CCTV.

One of the sheds has been boarded up due to vandalism. Natasha MacArthur

“It was happening before up until about November and then it stopped,” she said. “It was during the Easter weekend that our shed was vandalised.

“Two doors were ripped off and one had a big hole in it.

“We have one of the dads who helps us but he said it’s not fixable anymore.”

Ms MacArthur said the nursery’s sheds are “vital” because all the equipment that children use during the day needs to be stored there overnight.

“We need our shed,” she said. “It’s really important to us. Our kids are out all day so we can’t keep our resources out after nursery hours.

“One of the sheds is boarded up at the moment and the other shed is beyond repair.

“We are trying to raise money for a new shed, higher fences and CCTV.”

Ms MacArthur said the constant vandalism has is affecting everyone who uses the nursery.

She added: “We have to do extra risk assessments, we have to make sure the garden is safe because we might have broken glass, there might be writing on the walls.

“I would say to the kids doing this please leave our garden alone.

“This is where our children learn and develop – it’s their happy place.

“Just let them have the opportunity to play outdoors.”

Vandals have targetted the nursery's sheds. — Vandals have targetted the nursery’s sheds. Natasha MacArthur

A council spokesperson said: “These continued acts of mindless vandals are shameful and have such a devastating impact on the entire nursery community.

“These incidents have been reported and anyone with any information should contact the police.

“If anyone could help us with our GoFundMe or to help get this garden back up and running it would be greatly appreciated.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are aware of reports of vandalism at a premises in the Cronberry Quadrant area of Glasgow and enquiries are ongoing.”

The GoFundMe can be found here.