Stripped bare

Prized open . . . the school’s security shutter.

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Raiders ransack school

Thieves have left children and teachers devastated after ransacking a Woodhouses primary school and stealing thousands of pounds worth of equipment — leaving almost nothing behind.

In what appears to be a planned raid, the yobs broke into Woodhouses Voluntary Junior and Infant School after disabling the alarm.

Once they gained entry to the Ashton Road school by cutting through security shutters they searched every room, stealing everything of value in a burglary which reportedly may have lasted up to four hours.

The heartless raiders made off with 32 netbook computers, two plasma TVs, three laptops, seven iMac computers on top of a long list of other items including cushions which were presumably used to protect the stolen equipment.

The exact total of the value of all the stolen items is not yet known but the iMac computers alone will cost up to £1,000 each to replace.

Fixtures and fittings were also wrecked during the raid, on Tuesday night, between 6.30pm and 12.25am with classroom doors kicked open meaning the school was closed on Wednesday for health and safety reasons.

Head teacher Rachael Bentham, said they have been left stunned.

She added: “All the staff are devastated because we are a small school on a tight budget.

“The equipment taken is used every day by our pupils and although our insurance does cover the cost, it’s not the point. Our children will be left without their resources until they are replaced and it’s not fair.

“It’s really worried some of the children and not just the fact that things are missing but the fact that people have been in their classroom and caused damage. Luckily none of the children’s hard work was touched.”

Concerned parent Helen Hall, whose son goes to the school, said: “My son’s been really upset about it. He is scared they are going to come back again.

“The fact that we are such a small school makes it even worse, I don’t know how people can do things like this.

“This does not look like a smash and grab job, this looks like a planned job which is really worrying as it feels as though the school was targeted.”

Mrs Bentham has thanked the community for all its support since the break in.

She said: “If there is anything positive to take from this it’s the way in which our community have rallied to put this right.

“Parents and other members of the community have all been fantastic and more than happy to offer their support.

“I would like to take the opportunity to warn other schools in the area about what has happened to us.

“If we can help prevent this happening to someone else then that is another positive we can take from this.”

The school is still picking up the pieces after the raid and anyone interested in donating money to aid them repair the damage caused can do so by contacting Mrs Gill Wilson, the school’s busisness manager, on 0161-681 6793.

Greater Manchester Police are now hunting the offenders and anyone with information should contact them on 101.

Also, if anyone notices any of the mentioned equipment being sold as second hand call the same number to report it.