Property was stolen and items were smashed at the break-in at Ōtara Community Preschool over the weekend of 7-8 December. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police
Police are seeking information about a break-in at an Ōtara preschool where windows and property were smashed and items stolen.
Ōtara Community Preschool was broken into some time between 9am on Saturday 7 December and 6pm the next day.
In a statement, Counties Manukau East area prevention manager Inspector Rakana Cook said nine internal windows were smashed and a microwave oven and computers were knocked to the ground.
"This type of behaviour is quite frankly disgusting."
"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."
A microwave oven was smashed during the incident. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police
Cook said the offenders seemed to be destroying property just for the sake of it.
Police had already spoken to a number of people who had come forward in connection to the incident, but would now like anyone who had not yet spoken to them to come forward, Cook said.
"We are working hard to identify and locate those responsible for this senseless crime."
Cook said it was particularly disheartening for this to happen at this time of the year, especially at a place where children should feel safe.
"Absolutely gutting this close to the festive season, Christmas, and the fact this happened at a facility that looks after our tamariki, to feel safe, it's just absolutely disgusting," he told Checkpoint.
Ōtara pre-school trashed by thieves
He said based on previous experiences from similar incidents, it did suggest younger people could be responsible, but acknowledged that was just speculation until an investigation was carried out.
After such extensive damage, the school was still in cleanup mode, and would remain closed until factors like insurance were addressed, Cook said.
Cook said staff at the school were in fear of another incident occurring, and emphasised the shock the offending had caused during the festive season.
"Just to have that fear of crime for the people that run the place, it's a community preschool... heartbreaking for them, especially as it happened coming up to Christmas and moving into that period where people should be enjoying themselves."
Anyone with information can contact the police on 105 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and citing reference number 241208/6023.
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