Hall School a specialist college in Old Catton, based in the heart of Norwich, Norfolk have been devastated by the results of the heartless crime which took place on the weekend.
Three of the school's minibusses were targeted by thieves.
The minibusses’ wheels were stolen, and windows smashed leaving the staff unable to take pupils of the special needs school to their normal activities.
Break in.
Criminals broke into the school grounds via a fence and took a total of ten wheels from the three vans, which are worth tens of thousands of pounds. The vans had been purchased for the school from years of fundraising effort.
The East Anglian based school cares for around eighty pupils which range in age from three years old, to nineteen years old.
Many of the pupils attending have learning difficulties and disabilities some have social, emotional or severe behavioural issues. The school was awarded specialist status for its work in communication and interaction. It has received a glowing Ofsted report, and their website describes;
'The school’s work has also been recognised by the Activemark, Sportsmark, International Schools, Healthy Schools and Network in Excellence for Computing Science and Teaching.'
CCTV from the school grounds had captured a white van arriving at the school at approximately 8 PM on Saturday evening which stayed there for over four hours.
Stolen and vandalised.
The vandals had used a fallen tree which was hit by last week’s storm, to lift and jack the vans whilst they stole the wheels. Not content with stealing, they then went on to smash the windows of the vans.
The transport vehicles are heavily relied on by the school, and it appears they will now be out of action for several months.
Some lessons are likely to have to be canceled as a result, which of course is a loss to the pupils.
Unfortunately, another blow to the school sees that the van’s insurance not covering replacement vehicles in the meantime which means swimming and disabled riding lessons cannot be attended.
Hall School headteacher, Kevin McKenzie has told Norfolk local paper EDP24, that;
‘It took us years to raise money for these minibusses.
It is quite devastating’.
Appeal for help.
He went on to issue a plea for anyone who could help the school with temporary alternative transport for the school to call them on 01603 466467.
The Norfolk Police have confirmed they are investigating and have appealed to anyone with information to contact them on 101 stating CAD 85 of Sunday, January 21.
