A Bradford school head has hit out at thieves for stealing £10,000 of bicycles, used by the children for PE lessons.

The raiders struck at Dixons Allerton Academy overnight, scaling fences and gates to reach the locked garages where the 20 bikes were kept, removing panels from the roof and opening the doors from the inside.

They then made holes in an exit gate. Tyre tracks were found on the grass which suggested the bikes had been cycled off in the direction of Ladyhill Park. There was no evidence of a vehicle being used to transport the bikes away from the crime scene.

The school is investigating a possible CCTV sighting of two suspects and it is thought that others may have been waiting outside the school grounds to assist.

Yesterday, the academy’s principal, Rachel Kidd, said the bikes were used to teach cycling to the children.

She said: “We were absolutely heartbroken to discover the theft. It is the children’s education and it is so sad that someone would break into a school and take the children’s things.”

The haul of bikes included: three 14-inch wheel red Saracens; three 24-inch-wheel white Saracens; seven Silver Scott Aspects, three medium and four large; two medium white White Scott Scales; three 14-inch Commencal, two red and one black; and two silver Genesis Core 20, 17 and 19 inch with purple graphics.

All the bikes have DIXONS painted on the frame apart from the white 24inch wheel Saracens.

Mrs Kidd added: “We have been keeping something very precious in our garage. It’s an enormous loss and so sad.

“I am hoping we’ll eventually be able to replace the bikes and when we do we will ensure they are stored very safely. We are buying 21 more security cameras for the site.

“We are insured, but I don’t know how and when we are going to replace the bikes. In the meantime, the children will be doing football or some other sports. We’ll keep them fully exercised.

“It’s such a shame because cycling is so exciting and different.

“It’s very sad that some human beings can take from children. It had taken us a while to build up the collection.”

The raid happened between 9pm last Monday and 6.30am on Tuesday.

Police had no comment to make when contacted by the T&A yesterday