YOUTHS have been blamed for causing thousands of pounds of damage at two schools and a community centre.

The Fairfield Centre and Fairfield Community Primary School, in Worcester's Fairfield Close, had 28 windows smashed between them, and Rose Hill School, which shares the same site, had three roof windows in a classroom damaged over the bank holiday.

Bored youths have been blamed for all three incidents in Brickfields, which police believe are linked.

At Rose Hill School, youngsters were unable to use one of the classrooms yesterday because broken glass was ingrained in the carpet.

"The vandals also tried to break into the computer room," school governor Jonathan Pearsall said. "And last week, several roof vents were tampered with causing £400 damage.

"What makes it worse is the youngsters here are very vulnerable. To me this says bored youths who had nothing better to do."

Lynne Roberts, manager of the Fairfield Centre, said the repair bill for the windows had run into thousands. "This is very disheartening," she said. "The centre is here for the community and unfortunately some individuals spoil it for everyone else."

She added that some form of organised activity was being looked into to give youths something to do.

"We want to give them a more positive attitude," she said.

Alex Wall, headteacher at Fairfield Community Primary School, said the damage had been an inconvenience but that no classes had been affected.

"We are looking to improve security," he added.

A spokesman for Worcester Police said a witness reported seeing "two kids, wearing blue and white tracksuits" on the roof of the Fairfield Centre.

"Such wanton vandalism is not acceptable," he said.

"The support and help of the community in identifying these vandals would be a real assistance to us."

Anyone who witnessed these incidents - or can throw any light on them - is asked to contact Worcester Police on 08457 444 888, quoting 24C/030505 for Rose Hill School damage or 512S/0205050 for the Fairfield incidents.