Shropshire Star

Revealed: Raiders caused £27,000 damage in Newport school burglary

Thieves caused more than £27,000 of damage when they broke into a Newport school.

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Thieves broke in late on Saturday night and smashed doors looking for money

Burton Borough School has released CCTV footage of the men who smashed doors to gain access to the school at about 11pm on September 8.

By raiding vending machines and taking a safe, they stole about £2,500, but the amount of damage they caused will cost the school more than 10 times that figure.

They entered the school grounds in a silver Ford Focus or Vauxhall Astra, and left at about 12.50am on Sunday.

Christine Raymont-Hall, the school's principal, said the cost of the damage caused is enough to pay for a teacher.

She said: "This is a member of staff's wages. Especially at a time when there are cuts and things are tight, it's incredible someone has come in thinking about themselves.

"It is horrific that someone would do this. The damage they've caused was about £27,000. They've taken about £2,500 in the safe, but in terms of the camera and damage it's far more."

The damage was discovered by a member of staff at about 4.30am on the Sunday.

Police were called and investigations are still ongoing.

The thieves smashed down doors inside and out of the building in their search of cash.

"They drove a silver Ford Focus on to the site and then they smashed the doors down," Ms Raymont-Hall said.

"They smashed some other doors down going to the top of the building. They found there wasn't anything up there, but it has had a huge impact on the kids. That money was for staff and resources, and now our children are going to have to suffer because of this thoughtless act."

Now the school and police have put out an appeal asking for anybody with information to come forward.

If anybody recognises the men, they are asked to get in contact with police.

One is described as being very tall, the other as being shorter but with a distinctive walk.

"We hope someone recognises them from the photos," Ms Raymont-Hall added. "One chap is really tall, the other is shorter and has got a strange walk.

"If anybody knows the duo that hang out together, one tall and the other with a distinctive walk it could be them."

Anyone with information should contact West Mercia Police on 101 quoting reference 42s 100918.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk