Chasetown Community School rocked by third break-in forcing it to close for a day
A special needs school in Burntwood was forced to close after being broken into for the third time in as many weeks.
Chasetown Community School shut its doors for the day yesterday after thieves targeted it in the early hours.
The raiders, who kicked a door in at the Church Street school, stole computer tablets and money raised for this year's poppy appeal.
Erasmus Darwin Academy off Pool Road, just minutes away from Chasetown Community School, was also hit by thieves around the same time.
They gained access through a window and took a number of laptops from a locked cabinet between Tuesday night and yesterday morning.
Staffordshire Police has said it is a 'possibility' that the two incidents are linked.
It came after a Staffordshire primary school issued a plea for help after thieves stole nine bikes.
Linda James, the headteacher at Chasetown Community, said: "These break-ins have had a devastating effect on staff, who are putting on brave faces for the children at the school who are even more affected as their iPads are so personal to them.
"Our younger children have taken this very personally, especially as money for the poppy appeal was taken this time.
"We take a lot of pride in our support for the appeal, and I know that our key stage 2 pupils will in particular take it especially hard.
"We are pulling together as a school, and have had a lot of support from the wider community.
"I just hope the people responsible are caught, and feel remorse for how they have affected our staff and pupils."
The school, which caters for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, had previously been targeted on October 22 and October 12. During those raids thieves stole iPads and computer equipment – similar to yesterday's break-in.
Staffordshire Police said that in the latest raid 'unknown offenders' gained access to the school by kicking in a door panel at the rear of the premises.
Classrooms were then ransacked and the tablets stolen.
Local Policing Team Commander, Insp Rob Neeson said: "We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may be able to help us with these burglaries.
"I would urge anyone who has any information about these incidents to contact us on 101 quoting incident 37 of 2 November."
