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£60,000-worth of computer equipment stolen from Pendle schools
CHILDREN in Pendle are facing the prospect of returning to schools without computers following a massive spate of thefts in the area over the summer holidays.
Fisher-More Catholic Humanities College, Primet High School and Park High School have all been hit by thieves who have taken thousands of pounds worth of computer equipment.
Fisher-More has been repeatedly targeted, with thieves striking four times over a six-week period.
The first two thefts occurred at the end of July when computer equipment valued at almost 8,500 was taken. Overnight on August 25th and 26th, the thieves returned, this time taking two computers and a compact computer monitor, together valued at nearly 2,000.
Park High School has also been raided, with five laptops costing 2,500 being stolen in the early hours of August 26th.
Primet High School was the last in the area to be hit and has been the worst affected, with 40,000-worth of equipment stolen. Thieves raided the school's IT suite at the weekend, taking computers, two-way radios and other resources.
Police believe the thieves broke into Fisher-More and Park through the windows but entered Primet through the roof.
PC Mark Blackey, of Colne Police, said: "We cannot say for certain, but we think it is the same thieves going around high schools in the area. In view of this, we are asking schools to be particularly vigilant."
Headteacher of Primet High School Janet Walsh said: "This is a particularly cruel crime targeting children and their learning opportunities. Education is already poorly funded, so to take such treasured equipment is appalling.
"Luckily we can still teach without the equipment, but teachers will need to re-plan their lessons and we will have to resort to old methods of teaching for a while."
Fisher-More headteacher Mr Chris Bohills said: "Governors and staff were very disappointed after the summer break to find vandals had thrown stones through six large windows and thieves had also broken into school, stealing 12 computers which also created a great deal of mess.
"This had to be attended to as a matter of urgency for the students' return and has cost the school considerably, a cost which would have been better used for the academic interests of our pupils.
"However this will not dampen our spirits after the best ever GCSE results at the school this summer and staff and students are looking forward to working in the new classrooms and administration block at the front of the building."
Dr Paul Parkin, headteacher at Park High School, said: "During the summer holidays the school has spent a considerable amount of money updating and extending facilities for pupils. It is disappointing that theft and vandalism of this nature has happened. The costs of replacing damaged or stolen items and increased levels of security limit the funding available for our pupils.
"However we will not let this affect the start to the new academic year. We remain committed to improving the quality of facilities in school."
PC Blackey said: "We are appealing to any local residents who saw anyone in the area of the schools acting suspiciously at these times to contact us anonymously on 472441 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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