Thieves trash Ōtara Community Preschool in South Auckland

Heartless thieves have ransacked a South Auckland preschool, smashing windows, ruining floors with paint and stealing valuable educational equipment.

Police said the Ōtara Community Preschool was broken into sometime over the weekend with vandals leaving a trail of destruction for those using the centre, with property wrecked seemingly for the sake of it.

Counties Manukau East area prevention manager Inspector Rakana Cook said nine internal windows were smashed, along with a microwave and oven and computers knocked to the ground.

Images from inside the centre show every room trashed, with paint-coated footprints tracked all over the children’s bathroom floors and punch holes left in a wall.

Police said people broke into Ōtara Community Preschool and shattered windows, damaged the building and stole numerous items. Photo / Police

Damage on the floors at Ōtara Community Preschool in South Auckland. Photo / Police

“This type of behaviour is quite frankly disgusting,” Cook said.

“This is an awful situation, a preschool has been left footing the bill for this crime and children are now without their belongings and educational resources.”

Cook said the offenders acted in a mindless way and destroyed property seemingly for the sake of it.

Police said the students were now without their belongings and educational resources. Photo / Police

A microwave and oven and computers were knocked to the ground. Photo / Police

Police said the property was wrecked seemingly for the sake of it. Photo / Police

“We are now asking for the public’s assistance for any information which may help us to hold this person, or people, to account.

“A number of people have come forward with information and spoken to police since this incident, and we ask anyone who has not yet spoken to us to get in touch.”

Ministry of Education Hautū (leader) Te Tai Raro (North) Isabel Evans told the Herald it is aware of the attack on the preschool.

“The centre has been extensively damaged and is currently closed as it is unsafe for operation,” she said.

“We have contacted the preschool to offer support and have suggested alternative services to whānau and caregivers while the preschool is closed.”

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