Parents could turn slate vigilantes

Parents are considering sleeping in their children's school in Cornwall to prevent further thefts of roof tiles.

Thieves have struck 10 times since last April at Fourlanesend Primary School, near Millbrook, in the south east of the county.

They have stolen slates made from stone from the county's Delabole quarry valued at more than £6,000.

Headteacher Andrew Kayes said security had been stepped up and parents wanted to help prevent further raids and catch the culprits as it had been disrupting life for the school's 90 pupils.

'Damaging education'

He said: "I'm very annoyed. It costs us a lot of time and I have to make statements to the police every time it happens.

"I'm called in late at night, or early in the morning, or during the school day.

"It causes disruption to the children and it's a cost to the school that we can well do without.

"It's frustrating for everyone and it's damaging the children's education.

"The sooner they are caught, the better."

The police have stepped up patrols, but officers said the random nature of the crimes made it difficult to catch the thieves.

The chair of the school's Board of Governors, Becky Lingard, said everyone was being vigilant to try and stop further roofing losses.