Schools in Luton have been targeted by burglars in “a worrying spate” of break-ins.
Computers, sports and gardening equipment were among the items taken but on some occasions the offenders didn’t manage to get in and take anything.
Around 10 Apple Mac laptops were taken from Lea Manor High School in Northwell Drive on January 4 and two footballs and sports equipment were taken from a shed in St Margaret’s Junior School in Rotheram Avenue over the Christmas holidays.
A lawn mower, hedge trimmer and other grounds maintenance equipment was taken from Putteridge High School in October. A Beds Police spokesperson said: “Most of these offences have happened as the nights get darker or the schools are on holiday.”
Schools which were damaged or broken into but had no property taken were Lea Manor High School (on a separate occasion) and Stopsley High School in December and Cardinal Newman High School, Tennyson Road Primary School and St Martin de Porres School in October.
A member of staff at a school who did not wish to be named said: “In some cases the would-be burglars were disturbed by alarms before they could get in and take anything, but it is still a worrying spate all the same.”