CRIMINAL damage worth more than £2,000 has been caused in a spate of attacks at Tavistock College during recent weeks. Vandals broke 14 double glazed windows in the first attack at the end of last term ? at the beginning of this term a further 24 were broken and within the last fortnight, skylights on the science block were damaged. The vandals had clambered up scaffolding adjacent to the building to gain access to the roof. And just last week, a drama classroom was broken into ? a quantity of money and a camcorder was stolen. Tony Gilbert, facilities manager at the school, said: ? It?s wanton vandalism. To go along and do this type of damage, particularly at a school, is just crazy. ?The first lot cost about £600 to repair, the second £1,200 and the third £300 ? if my maintenance budget is overspent, the money has to come from somewhere, so it affects other areas of the college too.? Mr Gilbert said CCTV cameras were in operation on the school campus and police were currently investigating tapes supplied to them by the college. Security is being re-assessed in the school in the light of recent events. Sgt Adrian Healey, of Tavistock Police, said officers were getting ?increasingly concerned? at the level of damage being done to the school ? and of incidents involving scaffolding which could pose a danger. ?We will be undertaking increased patrols in the school and we will be looking at placing covert cameras to view inaccessible areas. ?We will be taking a robust line with any offenders caught, who will be prosecuted due to the amount and value of damage to the property.? Sgt Healey appealed to residents who overlook the school grounds to stay vigilant and to report any activity they feel suspicious. He asked anyone with information about the crimes to contact PC Burnett at Tavistock on 08705 777444, where they will be treated in the strictest confidence. Alternatively, information may be phoned through on the confidential Crimestoppers number, 0800 555111. The crime reference is JT/05/116.
