Staff at a Bradford school were picking up the pieces today after thieves raided computer equipment for the second weekend running.

Barkerend First School's records were thrown into chaos when burglars prized open steel shutters and smashed their way into the office, making off with a computer server and printer.

The break-in at the weekend came only a week after the same office was plundered and a computer taken.

The cost of the raids in damage and equipment lost is thought to be at least £5,500.

Headteacher Margaret Hall said the incidents would once have been detected by a surveillance system -but that had been stolen too. She added: "We need a security guard but we can't afford one.

"Our job is hard enough without having to put up with this.

"It's really distressing. I'm filled with dread every morning when I come here just in case we've been burgled again."

Mrs Hall said the computer server, from which the school's other computer equipment was run, contained all the administration files and records.

The school suffered a break-in earlier this year when children climbed in through a classroom skylight and stole a computer used by pupils. Staff have been the victims of car crime.

Every window at the school in Hendford Drive is protected by grills or steel shutters.

Mrs Hall added that each time an insurance claim was made, the school had to pay the first £100, which came out of school funds.

Bradford Central community safety co-ordinator Sgt Chris Plowman said Barkerend First School was only one of several schools in the area which had been targeted by criminals.

He said: "I am sure the school has taken every piece of security advice going, but there comes a stage when the only solution is a night watchman and schools can't afford that.

"It's sickening to see a resource like this, that benefits the community, get targeted by these idiots."

He added the division's community safety team had been concentrating on the Barkerend area.

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