VANDALS high on drugs and booze are repeatedly wreaking havoc at a Huddersfield school.

Children have been left shocked after arriving at Highburton First School to find drug paraphernalia, smashed bottles and empty beer cans littering the school grounds.

Youths have also been caught on CCTV ripping up flowers and vegetables planted by the children.

Headteacher Lynne Rutter said: “It’s horrible and it has escalated.

“They are spoiling the school premises.

“It’s just wanton, senseless damage.”

Matters came to a head on Friday when the school caretaker arrived to find empty milk bottles smashed and strewn across the car park from the night before.

Daffodils had been ripped out of a flowerbed and potatoes had been torn up and scattered.

The last incident was on Saturday night when youths were spotted on the school grounds.

Mrs Rutter added: “What has been most distressing is the drug taking that has been going on.

“Empty cannabis packets and cigarette papers have been found and there is evidence of people rolling their own joints.

“The children are shocked and upset. They can’t comprehend why anyone would want to do something like this.”

Letters have been sent to parents to tell them about the problems and ask for help in catching the vandals.

Assemblies have been held to teach the children about respect for the environment and other people.

Police have agreed to increase patrols in the area and have been given CCTV footage of the destruction.

Pc Pete Shields, from Kirkburton Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “The school is well looked after and respected by the staff, pupils and the local community.

“The pupils themselves have taken great pride in the appearance of the school to the extent of planting flowers.

“Those responsible have pulled these plants out and thrown them around the school grounds.

“They do not realise the impact that their actions have on all the hard work which the staff and pupils do at that school.

“It is also disturbing to the staff, parents and pupils to arrive at school in the morning and see parts of the playground full of broken glass with discarded beer cans.

“Kirkburton NPT has increased patrols in this area and anyone found in the grounds of the school will be stopped, searched and dealt with accordingly.

“The parents of those responsible will also be contacted and made aware of any issues that may have taken place.

“All grounds in any school are deemed as private property and anyone found there without a lawful excuse will be dealt with as a trespasser.

“All the local off licences will also be visited in order to determine if any offences are occurring in relation to the selling of alcohol to underage youths.”

Police are appealing for help.

Anyone with information about the incidents should call Pc Shields on 01484 436898 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.