Gateshead school to remain closed after burglary

Police are investigating after a burglary at a school in Gateshead forced it to close its doors for the second day.

Just before midnight on Monday intruders forced entry to Heworth Grange Comprehensive School on High Lanes.

The offenders had entered the school, smashed a number of windows and vandalised the internal building with marker pens.

During the raid they have also damaged the schools electricity generators which has left the school without power, heating or lighting. Nothing was stolen.

As a result of the damage and the loss of power the school had to close yesterday and will remain closed today (Wednesday 11th Oct).

Police enquiries into the burglary are ongoing with significant forensic opportunities being explored this morning.

Neighbourhood Inspector Alan Pitchford has today thanked those affected for their patience and encouraged anyone with information to get in touch.

He said: "We understand the closure of the school will have been very disruptive for teachers, parents and the pupils themselves.

"Significant activity is ongoing today to trace those responsible including reviewing CCTV and forensic opportunities at the school itself.

"Staff at the school are faced with a big clean-up operation themselves and were left with little option to close the school gates.

"We want to reassure the local community that we have a number of lines of investigation and will update you on the progress of our investigation.

"In the mean time we would encourage anyone with any information about those responsible to get in touch."

If you know those responsible, or saw anyone suspicious in the area last night, then please contact police on 101 quoting log 146 10/10/17 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111