A village school has been targeted by stone thieves for the second time in less than two weeks.
Slates were first stolen from the roof at Scapegoat Hill Junior and Infant School on the night of May 20 and 21 – and had just been replaced.
The scaffolding was removed earlier this week but thieves have struck again overnight – this time stealing far more slates and causing more damage.
Shocked staff and pupils saw the damage when they arrived at the school early today.
A school spokeswoman said: “They have taken a lot more slates than last time – the whole length of the roof has had slates taken from it. They’ve also caused far more mess during the theft and we are now checking to make sure the membrane below the tiles has not been damaged.”
The thieves struck between 6pm last night and 7am today. They would have needed a large vehicle and the theft would have taken quite a while.
It’s thought several people may have been involved with the slates being passed down from the roof and then over a wall.
The crime has been reported to police.
Kirklees education officials were this morning surveying the damage.
On the night of the previous theft thieves had also tried to make off with stone from the roof of Farnley Tyas First School on Butts Road, Farnley Tyas, but it’s thought they were scared off and fled empty-handed leaving stone neatly piled up at the side. Part of the roofing felt was damaged.
Anyone who saw anything suspicious or has any information should contact Huddersfield police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
