Staff and parents devastated after school break-in
Thieves smash up classrooms and equipment:
BURGLARS have trashed a primary school, leaving parents and staff devastated.
The thieves stole iPads and smashed up other tablet and laptop computers when they broke into Ffaldau Primary School near Bridgend.
They also pulled down ceilings, threw milk over the walls and stole around £400 cash after they got into the Pontycymmer school as the half-term holidays began. Police are investigating. Mum Esther Chambers, who has a daughter, eight, and son, six, at the school, said: “We are absolutely devastated that this has happened.
“Ffaldau Primary is a wonderful school and is like a big family. What makes it worse is that the school’s laptops and learning pads were destroyed.
“One of these was to help my daughter because she is visually impaired, so this will affect her education.
“I know all the children will be so upset but I know the community in the Garw Valley will rally round during this terrible time.”
A Bridgend Council spokesman confirmed that rooms were “wrecked”.
He said ceilings were brought down, milk was thrown, and the thieves smashed up the learning pads, and have also stolen iPads and around £400 in cash.
Councillor Charles Smith, cabinet member for education and regeneration, said: “Mindless vandals have caused a great deal of damage at Ffaldau Primary School and have also stolen money as well as important learning resources that the children use in their classrooms.
“We will ensure that repairs are made as soon as possible so that the school can reopen next week af- ter the half-term holiday.
“If you know anything about this shameful break-in which may assist the police please call 101.”
Police said the burglary occurred overnight between Sunday and Monday. Anyone with information is asked to contact 101 quoting occurrence 1700421384.
You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.