Callous thieves steal Mansfield children's forest school equipment

Despite a lockdown being in place, callous thieves have broken into a trailer and stolen equipment belonging to a Mansfield nursery.

By Katrina Taylor

Published 14th Apr 2020, 13:02 BST

Updated 16th Apr 2020, 11:32 BST

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Zoe’s Childcare operates two nurseries in the town which are currently open, looking after key workers’ children.

The nurseries on Dallas Street and Newgate Lane in Mansfield operate a ‘forest school’ in Ransom Wood, which allows the children to get out into nature and learn basic life skills.

The children as young as two learn to light fires, prepare and cook food, build dens and learn how to use basic tools.

Forest school in action

Forest school in action

Zoe Jackson, owner of Zoe’s Childcare was devastated to find her trailer had been broken into at the weekend:

“It’s sad to say that there are some bad people about.

“Over the last couple of days, someone has broken in to my forest school trailer at Ransom Wood and stolen our cast iron cooking set, and all of our tools.

“I provide forest school for children at my two nurseries and it is a massive part of what we do.

Cast iron cookware stolen

Cast iron cookware stolen

“If any one sees it for sale, or if it is offered to any scrap men, please get in touch.”

Zoe was shocked at the theft, as the trailer has been secure for months and now, despite people being advised to ‘stay at home’, it would seem that nothing is safe.

The children will now be unable to take part in their usual outdoor activities until these items are retrieved or replaced.

Anyone with any information, please call police on 101 with the reference number 20000184898.

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