People in the Coleraine have been further disturbed by the revelation that children aged 11 and 13 years were arrested over the recent attacks at Sandelford School.

The nature of the incidents, which saw buses and property damaged and, last week, excrement spread across the school, sickened right thinking people across the borough and beyond.

Such persistent attacks on some of the most vulnerable in our society struck a chord with the community and posed some harrowing questions about the nature of the society we live in.

On Monday, in the latest development in the investigation, the PSNI revealed that two children, aged 11 and 13, have been arrested and questioned about the series of attacks.

They also say that three children, aged 11, 12 and 13 have been arrested and questioned about a burglary at the sports pavilion at Rugby Avenue.
All of the children have been released from custody pending the preparation of a police report.

Chief Inspector Nicky Thompson, PSNI Area Commander for Coleraine said: "We are greatly concerned by the age of those arrested in connection with what are serious crimes that caused a great deal of distress and disruption to others.

"We have repeatedly called for parents to supervise their children and to find out what they are getting up to when away from the family home.
"Perhaps parents will now realise the importance of doing just that, and will act accordingly."
He went on to say: "We are confident that the actions we have taken should bring about a reduction in crime in this part of Coleraine."
Earlier NI Commissioner for Children and Young People, Patricia Lewsley, condemned criminal attacks on Sandelford School, which caters for children with learning difficulties.

"The message needs to go out that this criminal behaviour must be stopped," said Ms Lewsley. "Sandelford, like many such schools across Northern Ireland, provides an invaluable service. Sandelford provides educational opportunities to vulnerable children, and supports not only their development, but is a resource that helps these children live with their families."

"I want to make sure that despite these attacks it is clear that the community across Northern Ireland supports Sandelford Special School's pupils, principal, parents, teachers and staff."
Ken Mustoe, from the Variety Club Children's Charity which provided one of the school minibuses, said: "Such random acts of pointless, wanton and feral vandalism have the potential to momentarily rob the children of Sandelford School of their independence and life experiences.

"Disabling a minibus, whose sole purpose is to empower disabled and disadvantaged children and young people, just goes to show how low some people will stoop to get cheap kicks.
DUP Alderman James McClure has said: "Those who are responsible for these depraved attacks are the lowest of the low.

"To launch repeated attacks on a facility which is vitally important to members of the community with special needs is disgraceful and appalling.
"All right-thinking people have been sickened by the actions of these people."