thugs wreck pond

Intruders emptied the pond of all its water and plants at Templars First School in White Styles Road at some point over the weekend.

A variety of fish that lived in the pond were found dead on the ground on Monday morning when staff arrived.

Headteacher Marjory Hammond said: "They just wrecked the pond. They pulled out all the plants and killed all the fish.

"It was a deliberate attack."

Mrs Hammond said the fish were looked after by year-one pupils at the Sompting school. She added that the fish had all been donated by parents after the last set of fish were stolen from the pond last year.

Sergeant Kevin Wilson, of Lancing police, told the Lancing Herald that there was no clear evidence to link this with other incidents of anti-social behaviour which had taken place in Sompting recently.

"Obviously, we condemn any offence of this nature. It is unpleasant and needless and it caused great distress to the school pupils."

Meanwhile, youth problems in Test Road, Sompting, have continued. A teenager was arrested during a large disturbance last Wednesday after officers were assaulted while trying to break up the incident.

Sgt Jenkins said: "We plan to make more arrests this week, with early morning calls to addresses. These youths will be facing serious public order charges and I urge anyone who can name these culprits and describe them committing criminal or anti-social acts to come forward.

"A number of residents have now stood up to be counted and it is time that some more did so. We will then use this information to deal with the youths and their parents positively and firmly."

Any information to Lancing police on 0845 6070999 or freephone the Crimestoppers hotline in confidence on 0800 555111.