Youths believed to be behind vandalism incidents at Slamannan Primary School

To add to the dismay of mums and dads, children of no more than 12 years of age are believed to be responsible for the damage caused to benches and a window.

Members of Slamannan Primary Parent Council were outraged to discover the premises had been vandalised and have since fundraised online to provide staff and pupils with £600 of outdoor learning equipment for the new term.

The parent council also teamed up with Falkirk High School pupils to create a mural to restore some colour and positivity to the school as youngsters prepare to return to the classroom.

Parent council member Beverley Kane said: “It was only when lockdown finished we were looking at the school because the playground was a bit of a mess.

“We saw litter everywhere, benches broken, the alarms were off. We believe they were on the roof taking tiles off.

“We’ve been doing a lot of Facebook fundraising, like old football cards and virtual duck races for the kids. We’ve also had some kind donations from people.

“We don’t know the value of the damage but we just spent £600 on chalkboards and outdoor learning materials so they can be fixed to the walls.

“We’ve also painted a massive mural and invited some kids up to add their handprints. Pupils from Falkirk High did the painting for us. It has the school values, rainbows and some sunshines.

“We’re a very small parent council and want people to see we’re trying our hardest.”

Beverley added: “We also need to thank Crown Decorating Centre as they donated all the paint.

“Thank you too to John Robertson from the village, who has been doing everything from cleaning to weeding, Dennis Kerr for doing a lot of the plant boxes and Stevenson Brothers from Avonbridge who donated all the bark.”

Police are investigating two incidents, the first of which saw the culprits force their way into the school at some point between 3pm on July 23 and 11am on July 26.

Sergeant Phillip McIntosh, of Grangemouth Police Station, said: “A window was forced and entry thereafter gained, however, it is believed the perpetrators made off on the alarm sounding as no items were stolen.

“The second incident, which is a vandalism, is reported to have taken place at around 1.30pm on July 25.

“Two males aged about 11 or 12 years old, one wearing a purple hoodie and the other a grey hoodie, have damaged a number of benches at the school and smashed a window to the rear of the property.

“Both matters are being investigated jointly as, given the timeframes, they are likely to be related.

“Extra patrols are being carried out in the area and members of the public who may have any information in relation to the incidents are asked to contact 101, quoting incident number 1939 of July 25.”

In July 2017, two youths were charged following a fire at Slamannan Primary which caused “extensive damage”.

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