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Graffiti is scrawled on school by vandals

From the Bolton Evening News, first published Tuesday 30th Mar 2004.

A HEADTEACHER is calling for more facilities for young people in Daubhill to prevent vandalism to his school playground.

Paul Read, headmaster of Sunninghill Primary School, Daubhill, said bored youngsters gather in his playground at night.

The school is daubed with graffiti which school staff have to clear off with jet sprays or solvents.

The amount of graffiti varies according to the time of year, and bouts of vandalism are committed on an unpredictable basis.

Mr Read said: "The problem is there is nowhere for the children to go. There is a maze of busy streets around the school and there isn't a green piece of land in sight."

Mr Read said he does not have a problem with young people using the playground after school -- as long as they do so responsibly.

Mr Read said: "We have two divergent thinking processes. On the one hand what's wrong with kids coming in the playground when the school is closed? Children have played here for years and the majority don't cause any problems. However, you get the odd one or two who will.

"On the other hand if you clear everybody off, where can they go? And also how would you police it?"

The school has installed metal shutters over windows and outdoor lighting to protect the building.

The playground has been divided into sections so youths can no longer play football there.

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "This is the first time we have been made aware of problems at Sunninghill Primary.

"There are a number of facilities for young people in the Daubhill area and the council youth services team is continually looking at how services can be developed.

"Among the current services are the youth club which operates from Sunninghill Primary and youth projects on the High Street, St Helen's Road, Willows Youth Club, several voluntary clubs and the Connexions project at Wellfield."

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