TAVISTOCK Primary School has had a number of bird boxes taken from the trees where they were hanging, which have then been smashed up.

This occurred sometime between Wednesday, September 27 and Thursday, September 28.

A spokesperson for the police said: 'It seems very sad that whoever is responsible could put their energy and time into locating the bird boxes, which were some way up the trees and in among the foliage, pull them down and then smash them up. One of the boxes had a live nest in it, which of course a number of the school children found upsetting.

'Damage like this is so mindless and unnecessary and clearly the person/s responsible do not have any thought for others' property or the wildlife.'

Anyone sighted in the grounds of the schools or heard causing problems will be dealt with accordingly.

Anyone with information should call the police on 08452 777444, quoting crime number JT/11/1097.