HEARTLESS vandals have left the owner of a Wirral animal rescue centre reeling after they daubed her home with black paint on "Mischief Night".

Claire Williams, who runs Wallasey Hedgehog Rescue from her home on Zigzag Road, said she is “disgusted” at the actions of a group of around six youths.

Thankfully, the mother-of-four has been able to clear most of the paint from a plaque hanging at the front of the house - which was donated just a few weeks ago - but still has the task of removing it from the windows.

The 36-year-old said: “Whoever did this should be totally ashamed of themselves. My children would never even think of doing anything like this to anyone else’s property, and to do it to people who work had to save your wildlife just makes me feel sick.

“I hope your parents read this and realise that you were one of the six involved.”

The vandalism comes at a time when Claire – who runs the rescue centre with her husband Steve – is already rushed off her feet with countless hogs and hoglets who need her help over the winter period.  

And with Bonfire Night fast approaching, Claire has made it her mission to ensure hedgehogs are kept safe, urging people to check for sleeping hogs under their woodpile.

“Hedgehogs would easily crawl under a woodpile and stay there. Ideally people should move the bonfire to a different place before lighting it,” she said

“It takes 10 minutes to check for a hedgehog underneath the bonfire but once you light it, that’s it, they don’t stand a chance.”

Claire is not the only person to fall victim to mischief-makers this Halloween, with youths also spotted throwing eggs and stones at cars in New Ferry.

Merseyside Police confirmed it had received reports of three male youths on push bikes throwing items at vehicles on New Chester Road, close to the Co-operative.

Officers were called at approximately 12:40pm on Thursday but the youths had already left the area.

No damage has been reported and police are patrolling the area.

Police launched a campaign earlier this week to discourage people from causing trouble over the Halloween and Bonfire Night period.

They warned that anyone who commits incidents of anti-social behaviour can expect a swift response.

Extra officers will be out on the streets across Merseyside over the Halloween and Bonfire Night period to ensure that people can enjoy the festivities in their area safely, while dealing with the minority who are intent on causing trouble.

Officers are asking parents to help keep communities safe by taking responsibility for their children’s whereabouts and to be mindful of any neighbours who may be elderly or vulnerable and might feel frightened or intimidated.

Chief Superintendent Julie Cooke said: “This is a fun time of year for everyone across our communities on Merseyside and the number of incidents of anti-social behaviour during the same period last year was down on the previous year.

“However, our message during this period is simple – anti-social behaviour throughout this period will not be tolerated and anyone caught committing this type of offence will be dealt with firmly and robustly. No one should have to suffer being the victim of anti-social behaviour and I would like to reassure everyone that there will be extra high-visibility patrols during this time.”

  • Anyone who would like to report incidents of anti-social behaviour should call police on the 101 number.