“Despicable” and repeated acts of vandalism on day care centres in Coleraine condemned

East Derry MLA Claire Sugden has condemned repeated acts of vandalism at various day care centres in Coleraine, saying the “despicable” acts are drawing money away from essential services.

Mountfern and Montra have both been attacked – both last year and this year – with windows smashed and fences broken.

Fixing the damage – another window was smashed on Monday night at Montra – has added to the financial burden already placed upon the centres by Department of Health (DoH) budget cuts.

“These centres provide an opportunity for those with learning difficulties to engage in a range of activities – educational and social,” Ms Sugden said. “Without them, many of the users of the centres would not have the same – if any – level of social interaction or educational opportunities.

“The DoH has been faced with serious and significant budget cuts this year and as a result centres like this have suffered reduced budgets. Repairing these acts of vandalism has to come directly from money that would otherwise go straight into service provision and helping everyone who uses the facilities.

“Of course, it is not always young people responsible for vandalism, but it often can be. I would appeal to everyone, including young people, their families and the local community to be mindful of what is going on in their area and to report any instances of vandalism to the police on 101.

“I trust that the police are also taking these crimes seriously and investigating to find those responsible.”