Thieves rip roof from Newport school building
Metal thieves have risked their lives to rip sheets of copper from the roof of a school.
A gang climbed onto the top of a two-storey classroom before escaping with large sections of the roof.
The raid is the second to target Burton Borough School in Newport in less than two years.
And it is the latest in a spate of targeted attacks that are costing schools nationwide millions of pounds every year.
The theft happened on Sunday and was discovered by headteacher Dave Hill when he arrived before lessons yesterday morning.
The metal will cost £1,000 to replace but the total repair bill is likely to be far higher.
Residents living close to schools across Telford & Wrekin were today urged to be vigilant and call police if they see any suspicious activity at night or weekends.
Mr Hill said: "This is obviously a major concern to us and the cost of replacement will be significant.
"We want to flag up the theft so people who live close to our school and other vulnerable schools are aware and keep their eyes peeled for any suspicious activity, particularly during times when the school is closed."
Thieves got into the school via a gate in the fence and climbed onto a roof at the rear, where they then removed the copper sheeting, which is likely to have been sold for scrap. The theft has mainly affected one classroom and the school as a whole is not due to be shut while repairs are taking place.
Russell Griffin, a spokesman for Telford & Wrekin Council, said: "The thieves were clearly risking their lives to get hold of the metal.
"The school is still using the classroom, largely because it isn't raining at the moment. When temporary repairs are put in place, if there is any danger then obviously it will be closed."
The school was hit in a similar attack in October 2011, when thieves stole £500 worth of copper from the roof over a weekend, forcing Mr Hill to suspend lessons for a day while the area was made safe.
Chris Ammonds, of West Mercia Police, said: "This is unlikely to have been a straightforward job. They will have needed a van which may have been hanging around the area for some time."
Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident number 143S230913.
