Appeal after thieves target special school
A SPECIAL school in Llanelli has been targeted by thieves over the half-term holiday.
Ysgol Heol Goffa and the Mayor of Llanelli are appealing for the public to come forward with any information that can help bring the culprits to justice after the damaging break-in.
Staff were left picking up the pieces upon their return.
They were faced with mainly external damage to windows, doors and ceilings, as well as missing money – cash which had been raised by a pupil to help pay for the end-of-year ball.
A GoFundMe appeal has been launched by a Llanelli resident to help recoup the stolen money and to keep the school ball in the calendar.
Organiser Charlene Jones initially set the target at £500 but that was smashed within hours and it is now above £2,000.
She said: “We are almost at £2,000 after I originally set it up for £500, but this has just blown me away.
“I have got no connection to the school but have been brought up in the area and even as a little girl always felt so much for the pupils and staff at the school.
“Being a mum myself with girls who haven’t had life as easy as others, both myself and my three daughters just wanted to give back to children.
“The money raised will be given to the school to cover damage costs and a chance to replace the money that was raised in charity.”
She urged people to help as much as they can.
Headteacher Ceri Hopkins said: “We are very sad to report that our school has been targeted for break-in and theft over the half-term holiday.
“In addition to criminal damage to windows, ceilings, doors and property, cash was stolen that had been raised by a pupil to help cover the costs of the sixthform end-of-year ball. Normally, money is not kept on the school site.”
Appealing directly to the public, she added: “If you have any information, doorbell camera or other footage, please let the police know.
“We wish to remind everyone that the school grounds and premises are private property and while the school occupies part of the building, there are also parts that are condemned and unsafe. The roof is fragile and playing on these could result in serious injury or worse.
“We thank you in advance for your respect and support in helping to keep our pupils and their learning environment safe.”
She added that the community had shown an outpouring of support and said: “The community has been incredible, I have had calls from businesses and people asking how they can help us, it’s all been very supportive.”
Llanelli Mayor Cllr Philip Warlow has also condemned the break-in and theft.
He said: “Not only has damage been done to the interior and exterior of the building but also cash has been stolen.
“This school is an extremely important part of the many individuals’ lives that attend this school and to break in and damage this centre of learning is unforgivable.”
Dyfed-Powys Police said it is “investigating reports of criminal damage and burglary which occurred at Heol Goffa school, over half-term week, between Friday, May 27 and Monday, June 6”.
Anyone with information that could help officers with their investigation is asked to report it to police either online, by emailing 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk or by calling 101.
The GoFundMe page can be found at www.gofundme.com/f/ donation-funds-for-heol-goffaschool.
In addition to criminal damage to windows, ceilings, doors and property, cash was stolen that had been raised by a pupil to help cover the costs of the sixthform end-of-year ball
Headteacher Ceri Hopkins