Community leaders have condemned a “shameful” break-in at a north-east primary school – which happened only yards from a police station.
Electrical equipment worth several thousand pounds was stolen from St Andrews Primary School in Fraserburgh.
It is understood a member of the public alerted police officers but not before the intruders had caused “considerable” damage to the property.
Last night local councillor Iain Tait said: “There is absolutely no doubt that this is one of the most shameful things someone can do to a community.
“Education of children is of extreme importance – supreme importance even.
“I absolutely hope that those responsible are brought to justice – if nothing else, to teach others a lesson. That is a dreadful thing to have done and I feel downhearted to learn there are people in our community who would break into a school.”
Councillor Charles Buchan, vice-chairman of the local authority’s education committee and a former teacher, echoed his colleague’s condemnation.
He said: “Schools have very little spare cash now to replace equipment and this will be a big problem.”
Police officers have appealed for anyone with information about Wednesday’s break-in to come forward.
Sergeant Graeme Cupples said: “It is incredibly disappointing to see a building which is central to the community being targeted in this way. Some of the items stolen have been recovered, however, a considerable amount of damage was caused within the school by the perpetrators.
“The cost to the school to replace the items and repair the damage not only impacts on children who attend the school but the wider local community.”
St Andrews is spread across two campuses in the town – in Albert Street opposite the town’s police station, and in nearby Charlotte Street.
More than 400 nursery and primary age pupils attend the two sites.