CHILDREN are believed responsible for vandalism at a village pre-school after CCTV captured pictures of youngsters sliding from a roof on to a play mat.

Police are investigating a series of crimes at Carers Nest next to Five Lanes Primary in Potterne and a separate burglary from a shed at the school.

A police spokesman said: "During the school half term from the 10th - 19th February we have received two separate reports of crime occurring at Carers Nest pre-school and Five Lanes Primary School.

"Carers Nest has had damage caused to several items of their equipment and books at an approximate loss of £110. Youths were even seen on CCTV sliding from the roof of the building to the floor on a play mat.This is extremely dangerous and we are fortunate that on this occasion no one was injured.

"At the primary school a burglary was also captured on CCTV and people were seen to break into the shed and remove items."

Pre-school manager Emma Blackmore said: "We have had several incidents of vandalism. The first time was on February 6 and then more during half term. They did not manage to get into the buildings but they got on the roof and caused damage to books kept in a big plastic bin.

"It is quite upsetting for everyone and we hope parents will act. I am going to be delivering leaflets to houses near our site telling people about what has happened."

A police spokesman said: "The area is kept locked but a certain few have chosen to ignore this and climbed over high fences to cause mindless damage. This people can expect a knock at the door from local officers in the very near future.

"We have been informed locally that these events or similar may have been witnessed. Can residents please report incidents and crime such as this at the time they are in progress as this will allow us to send officers direct to the scene to deal robustly with anyone found to breaking the law or being antisocial."