Wolverhampton primary school fights on after callous thieves steal thousands of pounds worth of iPads

Staff at Eastfield Primary School in Wolverhampton spoke of their disgust after thieves raided into the building stealing 32 of the tablets and accessories worth almost £30,000.

The burglary took place in the early hours of Friday morning when the thieves forced entry through one of the school's fire doors before breaking into and damaging doors to the school's reception area as well as the headteacher and the deputy's offices. They also smashed the glass of a meeting room the school uses to talk to parents.

The thieves also ran off with more than £80 in cash which had been saved by the school's 250-plus pupils to buy more books and stationary equipment in the near future.

CCTV footage of the incident appears to show two adults breaking into the Colliery Road school at the time of the incident.

The school's headteacher Sarah Hay told the Express & Star the school will fight on and hope the perpetrators get caught.

"This has been a devastating incident for us and it leaves us with the children suffering as a consequence," she said.

"The children loved spending time on the iPads but now they won't be able to use them again. We only just received the second set of iPads and are still yet to pay them to our supplier.

"The police and Wolverhampton City Council have been really supportive and it is important we carry on regardless and don't let the thieves win. All parents have been notified as to what has happened.

"It is sickening what has happened and I think since I've been here this is the fourth time the school has been targeted.

"The boxes which the iPads were in were very heavy so whoever broke in must have been very strong to take them and move them out of school grounds."

Deputy Headteacher Helen Bird added: "Everyone here is absolutely gutted.

"We had only just purchased a second set of iPads because it meant each child in a single could use one rather than having to share.

"But now the teachers will have to change their schedule for the ICT lessons. The iPads were also good as they included applications which helped the children's learning but these are not available when using a laptop.

"What is also concerning is apart from the iPads and the cash nothing else has been taken. This makes me think whoever has done this has inside knowledge about the iPads.

Majit Chagger, who owns Snowhill Motors which is directly opposite the school, also expressed his anger over the theft.

"This is a despicable act which stops the children from being educated but what can you do," he said.

"Lets hope whoever has done this gets caught."

West Midlands Police spokeswoman Joanne Hunt said: "The break in was committed on March 20 at about 1.45am when a group of people had forced entry to one of the doors before stealing a number of items.

"We are now investigating the incident. If anyone has any further information then they should call us as soon as possible."

Anyone who knows of any information should call West Midlands Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.