Vandals wreck High Woods Country Park's forest school

One of Colchester’s popular forest school spots, in High Woods Country Park, was targeted by hoodlums in broad daylight.

The area is used by pupils from the surrounding primary schools as part of the growing initiative, which aims to get children learning about the great outdoors from a young age.

The vandals pulled down a homemade wooden teepee which the children had created, started a fire which burned some of the equipment and left broken glass and litter strewn across the area.

Councillor Gerard Oxford

Ward councillor Gerard Oxford said: “Disgusted is the word I would use to describe my feelings.

“It is extremely disappointing because the youngsters have worked hard on the area.

“For some forest school is the first time they have ever been in the country park and it is getting people outside and enjoying nature.

“To have their work wrecked for no good reason is disgusting and setting a fire somewhere like the country park when it has been dry is dangerous. There could have been a serious fire.”

Mr Oxford believes the vandalism took place between 11am and 5pm on Thursday as his wife Beverly had walked past the area in the morning.

He said: “Some residents took it upon themselves to go down there with carrier bags and clear the area.

“I want to thank them and the park rangers.”

A spokesman for Colchester Council said the “shameful act of vandalism” had been reports to Essex Police.

He added: “Our rangers, who work extremely hard to ensure the park is a welcoming environment for all, have stepped up their day patrols in the area and we would ask members of the public to help them protect the woods by reporting any suspicious or anti-social activity on 101.”