A school is having to fork out to buy security cameras after yobs broke in and embarked on a spree of vandalism.
The school gates at St Francis' RC Primary School in Gilchrist Way, Braintree, were spray painted and windows in the school building damaged during last week's half-term break.
Headteacher Gareth Olney said nearby residents often phoned police to report young hooligans on the school roof but by the time officers got there, the hooligans had fled.
Mr Olney said: "This isn't the first time. We had eight smashed windows in October, which cost £1,000 to replace.
"Now we've had paint sprayed over the front gates and another six windows have been chipped, which will cost at least that again to replace.
"It's just mindless vandalism. The school's just here. At night and weekends it's empty so there's nothing to deter them."
"We're going to get some cameras, which are going to cost a lot of money to try to deter a very small number of people and I don't know how much I can afford to put into it.
If you know the vandals, call Braintree police on 01376 551312
Published Wednesday, June 4, 2003
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