Staff at Greyfriars preschool in Ringwood stunned by theft of pergola roof

PRE-SCHOOL staff were stunned to discover thieves had stolen the roof off a pergola.

The garden feature had only been erected at Easter to keep pupils shaded from the sun as they played outside.

But this week as the sun blazed down the kids had to have their playtime cut short to keep them safe.

A spokesperson for Greyfriars preschool in Ringwood said: “We couldn’t believe it when we saw what had happened.

“It is just awful. We cannot believe that anyone could be so mean to do what they have done.”

Fundraising had paid the £3,000 cost of the bespoke pergola, which was all handmade.

The thieves are believed to have struck on Saturday 31st May.

The spokesperson said: “People heard the sounds of someone doing what they thought was work in the garden around 10.30am.

“The thieves were quite blatant, they didn’t strike at night as I suppose people realised there would be something amiss then.

“Luckily the rest of the pergola is cemented to the ground so they could only take the roof.

“It is very disappointing that people would do this to a nursery school. The kids loved the pergola.”

Since posting about the theft on social media the school has been “inundated” with offers to replace the roof for free.

It is now appealing for anyone who has any information about the theft to contact the school, or call police on 101.