School torched to cover up raid

Firefighters found signs of forced entry at the school

A special needs school was ransacked by burglars who then set fire to the building to cover up their tracks, police said.

Offenders took computer equipment worth hundreds of pounds from Deedmore Road School in Coventry on Tuesday, but caused damage put at £1.5m.

The 80 pupils at the school on Henley Road, Henley Green, all have learning difficulties, but it is hoped some can be placed temporarily in other schools.

The families of the pupils are now appealing for the local community to help police catch the culprits.

Incidents linked

The emergency services were alerted when the school's intruder alarm was set off at 0240 GMT.

When firefighters arrived they found signs of forced entry, with door handles broken off and windows smashed.

It's a scene we see more and more often Paul Thomason, West Midlands Fire Service

Police said some computer equipment had also been moved from one room to another ready to be taken away.

At its height, more than 70 firefighters fought the fire which destroyed three classrooms, part of the roof and hall.

Police are linking the incident to a number of other thefts at schools in the area.

Paul Thomason, from West Midlands Fire Service said: "It's a scene we see more and more often where, to cover scenes of burglary , arson is involved, especially in schools - it's a non-stop problem.

"New schools in Coventry are about to be fitted with sprinklers and we applaud Coventry City Council for making that initiative because that will save schools in the future."

Frances Howard, whose eight-year-old boy Dominic has learning difficulties and is a pupil at the school, said her son was very sad at what had happened.

Mrs Howard believes the only way to catch those responsible is for the local community to help.