Graffiti saying "children will die" was sprayed on the doors at a Chelmsford nursery and a pet rabbit stolen in a second attack within a week.

The caretaker at Care a Lot day nursery, based at Rainsford High School in Fox Crescent, found the graffiti sprayed on the outside of the door, after children had left for the day on March 28 - a week after nine nursery windows were smashed.

Staff had to remove the writing in black paint, before the children returned on Monday. Teachers also had the task of telling them that their pet grey rabbit Minx, had been stolen at the same time.

Cherry Williams, deputy supervisor at the nursery, which looks after 32 under-fives, described the vandals actions as 'disgusting and mindless'.

"The first weekend they came and smashed nine windows then the following weekend the doors were written on and the rabbit was gone," she said.

Sgt Chris White said: "I think it's a despicable type of crime. Someone had a very sick mind writing this. The children at the nursery could have easily seen it."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Pc Dean Stratford on 01245 491212.

Published Friday, April 11, 2003

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