HAILESLAND PRIMARY EDINBURGH VANDALS CONDEMNED

First Minister Jack McConnell yesterday strongly condemned the vandals who caused serious damage to Hailesland Primary School in Edinburgh and called on the local community to help the police find them.

Visiting the school to see the vandalism for himself and to meet with the teaching staff and police officers, Mr McConnell said:

Appalled

"I’m absolutely appalled by the level of devastation in the school. Such mindless acts are an attack on the whole community and simply unacceptable.

Ransacked

"As a former teacher, I understand the deep frustration that the school’s teachers are feeling. They have worked tirelessly to improve the school and it must be particularly disheartening that computers and classrooms regularly used by their pupils have been ransacked.

Set back

"The sad fact is that this vandalism sets back their efforts to close the opportunity gap in a community that most needs a helping hand. The young people who appear to have committed this crime may well have brothers and sisters who will now have their learning seriously affected.

Stop similar attacks

"I urge the whole community to help the police to find these vandals.

"At a time when there is record investment in building and refurbishing schools, I believe that we take action now to stop similar attacks.

"Across Scotland we must stop the buildings which deliver vital public services being seen soft touches and develop a much greater sense of citizenship in our young people to prevent these incidents in the future."