VANDALS have repeatedly targeted a growing school on the outskirts of a town centre.

Peel Park County Primary in Alice Street, Accrington, has suffered repeated damage from intruders.

Youths have set fires, damaged playground equipment, thieved lead, stolen laptops, and left drug paraphernalia on the field.

Now Lancashire County Council has asked Hyndburn Borough planners for permission for a new safety fence of between 1.6 and 2.4 metres high.

Documents supporting the application say: "Peel Park Primary School is a good school which has a growing number of pupils.

"The school benefits from having a very large playing field, however due to the existing boundary fence being too low and of poor quality, the school is experiencing a growing number of

unauthorised access related issues and school property being damaged as a result.

"Not only that but it puts the children and staff in a more vulnerable position.

"The need to upgrade the boundary fencing is paramount to the security of the site and is why the school seeking planning approval to replace 2/3rds of the site with anti-climb

weldmesh fencing, and the final 1/3rd with new railings.

"Safeguarding of children in school during the day is of paramount importance.

"In 2021 we had to put the school into Lockdown due to a member of the public in the near vicinity posing a serious threat.

"In an area of high deprivation, Peel Park suffers from vandalism from youths in the surrounding area.

"The height of the fence at present enables them to gain access to the school premises and it has become an area to gather.

"On numerous occasions playground equipment has been damaged and also drug related paraphernalia has been left on the school site.

"On one occasion a fire was set in our Forest School Area to which the Fire Brigade attended.

"We feel a high level of frustration that equipment that has been bought to support our children has been ruined.

"Other damage to the school has included theft of lead from the roof which caused significant damage.

"Also, in 2021 we were a broken into when a member of the public gained access to the building via the field area.

"This resulted in damage to the building and a number of laptops and technical equipment being stolen.

"The school strives to provide the very best learning environment it can. The addition of more substantial fencing would help achieve this"

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