£30,000 vandal attack on school

VANDALS have caused damage costing an estimated £30,000 in an overnight attack on a Warrington school.
Police are appealing for information to help them track down the hooligans who caused the damage at Sankey Valley Primary School.
The school caretaker discovered the damage when he arrived at work in Raikes Close at 7am today.
One extractor fan had been ripped off the roof of the building and nine extractor fan covers had also been ripped off the roof.
The winding mechanism of one of the windows in the school hall was damaged from the outside – meaning that the window will not now open.
A plastic picnic table in the school field, which was drilled into the ground, has also been ripped out, turned over and thrown onto the ground.
PC Paul Caswell said: “This is a mindless act of vandalism that has caused serious damage to the exterior of the school.
“The vandal or vandals were obviously intent on causing as much damage as possible and have used a lot of force to rip off the fan and the fan covers and to rip out the plastic picnic table from the ground.
“The school is estimating that the damage overnight will cost between £20,000 and £30,000 to repair – that is a substantial amount of money.
“Fortunately, those responsible were not able to gain access to the inside of the school but their selfish actions have caused a lot of upset and anxiety for the staff.
“This sort of behaviour is unacceptable and we will do all we can to trace those responsible and ensure they are prosecuted.
“What might have seemed like a bit of harmless fun has serious consequences for the school.”
Officers were already investigating a number of minor incidents of criminal mage at the site but this latest attack is the most serious.
On each occasion the school has been spoken to by an officer and staff have been offered valuable crime reduction and security advice.
Enquiries are continuing and officers will continue to work with the school to ensure that they have all the necessary advice and support if needed.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information which might assist police is urged to call police on 0845 458 0000.
Officers are also appealing for anyone who has any information as to the identity of those responsible to get in touch. Anyone who has seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area is urged to contact police.
Information can also be passed on anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.