VANDALS have returned to a Moray secondary school.
Elgin Academy has been a favourite gathering place for youngsters in the past, and was targeted again last weekend.
As well as the huge amounts of rubbish left lying around, explicit graffiti has been painted on the building and windows were broken.
Some vandals even managed to break into the school, gaining entry through doors in a secluded area under the building.
Local resident Ann Torry was appalled by the mess left after what appeared to have been a drunken party at the secondary.
“I was walking past on Sunday morning about half-past eight,” she said.
“There was furniture lying there, smashed glass bottles and papers that had been thrown from different classrooms, and maybe four or five of those little grey chairs and easy chairs.
“A computer screen was lying smashed on the ground.”
Between 2007 and 2008 around £27,000 worth of damage was caused at the Elgin secondary, with the figure for the entire Moray school estate standing at £91,000.
The bill prompted councillors to take a decision to secure school grounds at night. Since then the problem at the academy had subsided, until last Saturday.
Mrs Torry added: “I know that the school is being pulled down, but it’s still vandalism.”
She is concerned that once the school is demolished the new £30 million Elgin Academy may fall victim.
The new secondary will open to pupils and teachers when they return from the Easter break on Wednesday.
A police spokesman said: “Officers are making inquiries into a housebreaking at the former Elgin Academy building on Morriston Road, Elgin, which occurred at about 10.30pm on Saturday.
“Nothing was stolen from the property, but officers are appealing for anyone with information regarding this incident to contact police.”
Grampian Police can be contacted on 0845 600 5700. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
