Yobs smash way into nursery and grab till

Heartless yobs caused £1000 worth of damage after they smashed their way into a Lincolnshire nursery.

Fun Farm Day Nursery, in Stephenson Road, off Station Road, inNorth Hykeham was targeted by thieves in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The crooks attempted to rip metal off a side door to enter the property but after they were unsuccessful they turned their attention to a downstairs window.

Nursery owner Peter Coon said: "They have tried to force their way in through the cladding in an attempt to bypass the alarm system," he said.

"They have then smashed a window and turned the place upside down. They caused a real mess."

Police forensic officers went to the scene on Wednesday morning to collect evidence and dust for fingerprints.

A hammer, which had been used to smash the window and a screwdriver had been left by the thieves at the scene.

The burglars also made off with a till containing £50.

Nursery manager Sharon Leib said they will now be forced to put bars on the windows.

"We don't want to do that because it makes it look like a prison," she said. "We will try and brighten it up a bit though by painting them in rainbow colours.

"The glass was everywhere across the room when I got here in the morning.

"They had broken some of the children's equipment and some room dividers.

"The older ones were upset and asking what was going on and we had to explain what was going on."

Anyone who saw any suspicious activity close to the nursery on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning should call Lincolnshire Police on (01522) 532222 quoting incident number 88 of Wednesday, July 1 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

For more on the raid, see Friday's Echo.