Laptops taken in school raid

Burglars have stolen nine laptops from The Friary High School in Lichfield - the seventh raid in the area in the space of just one month.

Thieves climbed on to the roof of the Eastern Avenue school before smashing their way in. They took the laptops, worth £7,500, at around 9.30pm on Tuesday.

Computers were taken from the school during a previous burglary, a week earlier.

Police are urging anyone who is offered a cut price computer or projector in suspicious circumstances, to contact them immediately, following the school raids.

Lichfield inspector Mike Kozam said: "We are concerned that schools are being targeted."

Nether Stowe High School has also been hit twice by burglars. It was raided on January 20 when thieves smashed a window and searched part of the school in St Chad's Road. Nothing was taken but thieves struck again at the weekend and stole a laptop.

Other schools targeted by burglars during January include St Peter's and St Paul's Primary in Dimbles Hill, St Joseph's Primary in Cherry Orchard and Chadsmead Primary in Friday Acre. Millfield Primary in Coleshill Street, Tamworth and St Leonard's Primary in Wiggington, have also fallen victim. Anyone with information should call 08453 30 20 10.