A violent attack on a toddlers' play shed was a kick in the teeth for staff and children at Blackbird Leys Pre-School after a spate of similar crimes there.

Pre-school manager Sarah Pearson with images of the playground from one of the new CCTV cameras installed

But the police response made things worse after CCTV images of the incident, pictured on page one, were ignored for more than three weeks.

Managers at the pre-school, in Moorbank, handed them to the Oxford Mail because officers have failed to pick up the tapes despite being alerted straight after the October attack.

Following our enquiries, the police admitted the tapes should have been collected and have promised to pick them up today.

In March, staff at the pre-school for three- to five-year-olds invested £2,000 on CCTV cameras and an intercom entry system following donations from the Oxford Bus Company and Blackbird Leys Parish Council.

They were forced to make the investment after vandals and thieves struck seven times in 2004, smashing windows, trampling the herb garden and stealing post.

Sarah Pearson, 40, a former police officer who has managed the pre-school for nine years, said two youths were captured on CCTV doing damage to buildings on October 15 and 16.

Staff alerted police that video images were available, but officers have not picked them up, she said.

Miss Pearson said: "These two youths have got their hoodies on but there are clear pictures of them doing the damage and I'm surprised the police have not done anything.

"These youths have been in three or four times before, repeatedly kicking in the windows of the playhouse and play shed. What they've done is completely mindless, and the children can't use the equipment while we're clearing up the perspex.

"The police may consider this to be petty vandalism but we have to raise money to pay for our equipment. We also mentioned the incident to the street wardens but we still didn't get a response.

"We want people to see these images, and then they might contact the police with information.

"These lads can't be more than about 13 or 14. On the Monday we reported this to the police the vandals came back to the nursery garden and started ripping down posters."

About 47 youngsters go to the pre-school, and as well as four staff, mums volunteer for the two daily weekday sessions involving 20 pupils.

Police spokesman Tim Wiseman said it was not clear why there had been a delay.

He said: "It's unfortunate the CCTV of this incident was not collected sooner. Arrangements have now been made with the school to collect the tape on Thursday morning."