Bradford schools are being hit by a hi-tech crimewave with thousands of pounds worth of state-of-the-art equipment stolen this term.

Angry head teachers say new laptop computers and interactive whiteboards are being stolen within days of being installed.

And the situation has become so bad at one inner-city primary school that staff are considering hiring their own security guard at a cost of £750 a week.

In just one area of Bradford there have been 24 break-ins at six primary schools this term alone.

Police have also arrested nine people in connection with break-ins at five other schools in Bradford.

Thieves have stolen equipment worth more than £30,000 and cost schools more than double that amount in damage, despite them spending a fortune on security measures.

Lapage Primary School, in Barkerend Road, and Peel Park Primary School, in Undercliffe, have been targeted eight times this month.

Lapage Primary's business manager Jinny Wood said: "There have been four break-ins in the last three weeks, and they have stolen or damaged nine overhead projectors for our whiteboards which were brand new this term.

"There have been burglaries during the