Two primary schools in north London have been subjected to “absolutely heartbreaking” late-night vandalism attacks that have left them with a security bill in excess of £200,000.
Brunswick Park Primary and Nursery School has been targeted on four occasions and nearby Church Hill Primary School has been hit twice – most recently on Sunday night.
The attackers, who used stones and a hammer to break dozens of windows, were caught on CCTV but their identities were disguised by balaclavas.
It is thought two teenage boys were involved - one who smashed the windows as his accomplice acted as a look-out.
The “brazen” attack on Sunday happened despite a security guard and guard dog being on the site.
The incidents have caused huge distress to staff, parents and pupils and have resulted in children being taught in boarded-up classrooms.
The Metropolitan police are investigating but no motive for the attacks has been established.
Parents have launched a JustGiving fundraising campaign, with more than £2,200 pledged to date.
Jo Porter, head of school at Church Hill, in Burlington Rise, east Barnet, said it was first targeted over the Easter holidays.
Prior to that, Brunswick Park – which is in the same school federation as Church Hill – was vandalised on four occasions.
“There have been six acts of very significant vandalism,” Miss Porter told The Standard on Friday. “It’s upsetting for the staff and it’s horribly upsetting for the children and our local community.
“There is a feeling of unrest now. They always come at night and they’re not trying to get into the school, but obviously parents are concerned.
“Over 40 windows in our school are still boarded up with wood because we are unable to replace them at the moment. This is absolutely unprecedented.”
After the first attacks, the schools arranged for security guards with guard dogs to patrol the premises.
The patrols will cost each school £110,000 for the coming year – a total of £220,000. In addition, monitoring systems at each school will cost £8,000 and lights and cameras £15,000.
Church Hill was able to hold all its classes on Monday after glaziers were able to remove all the smashed glass and make the classrooms safe for the children, though one year group was moved to the school hall.
The repair bill following the first attack at Church Hill was an “absolutely heartbreaking” £57,000, Miss Porter said. The second attack caused £42,000 of damage.
The school’s insurers will cover both bills but say they will not pay out for any further damage under £50,000.
“To have people damage something we are incredibly proud of is heartbreaking,” Miss Porter said.
“Thankfully Brunswick Park has not been attacked for a while. We don’t know if it’s the same people doing it. We have not been able to positively identify them yet.”
She said the police were actively investigating the attacks – and urged parents not to try to take matters into their own hands.
“What we absolutely don’t want is anybody taking any kind of vigilante role. We have got the police taking it really seriously and the safer neighbourhood team is patrolling.”
Both schools are funded by the local authority, Barnet council. Miss Porter said: “Inevitably what this means is that we will have to use some of the money that would normally be used for the curriculum and schooling for security.
“Some of the amazing extracurricular activities and trips may not be able to happen. Schools are not managing to function under normal circumstances and this is an enormous mountain to climb.”
Umut Esmer, a parent who organised the online funding campaign, said: “Like you, I have been shocked, but also saddened to hear what has happened over the Easter Holiday.
“With limited resources everyone at Church Hill is doing so much that seeing it being attacked in such a way will surely concern us all. Especially when staff has to divert its energy and focus from what matters most--our children!
“Such an act of vandalism, is sure to stretch the school’s budget, at a time when every school is already under financial pressure.
“The funds we can raise may not be much, considering the grand total of this unexpected cost, nevertheless, every drop should certainly help.”
Dan Tomlinson, MP for Chipping Barnet, said: “Schools are cornerstones of our communities and should be safe spaces where children thrive and feel secure. As the local MP, I will not tolerate any form of behaviour that threatens this.
“I am very proud of Barnet’s schools, and I want to assure all residents that I am working alongside the police and both schools to ensure this mindless vandalism does not continue.”
Scotland Yard has been approached for comment.
Hundreds of pounds were donated after The Standard first published the story on Friday. To donate, visit the Crowdfunding page here.
