Reward for school robberies information

The trio of raids happened in Blunham, Clifton and Langford. Crimestoppers is offering the incentive to anyone whose provides information that leads to the arrest and charge of those responsible.

The first raid took place at around 10.20pm on Tuesday, May 8, at Samuel Whitbread Upper School in Shefford Road, Clifton.

Two offenders, who were wearing balaclavas, approached the school gates, broke the lock and then drove a silver Vauxhall Vectra estate up to the reception doors.

The duo then tried to smash open the doors with a sledgehammer but when this failed, they then kicked the doors in to gain access. After a search of three offices the pair fled the area with £8 in cash.

Ten minutes later a similar offence took place at Langford Lower School in Church Street, Langford. Unknown offenders gained access to the school building by forcing a side door with a crowbar.

They then made their way to the school office where they took money and a small safe before leaving the premises.

On Wednesday, May 9, at around 11.10pm, a third raid took place at John Donne Lower School in High Street, Blunham.

A witness reported seeing two men wearing balaclavas pull up at the school in a silver Vauxhall Vectra before using sledgehammers to break into the location. Once inside the offenders removed a number of laptop computers and stolen loose change from an office.

A Crimestoppers spokesman said: “You have nothing to fear by contacting Crimestoppers as we will take information anonymously on our 0800 555 111 number or through our website www.crimestoppers-uk.org

“We do not ask for your name or any personal details. We do not trace calls or IP addresses and we do not record our calls. Those giving information will not have to give a statement to police or go to court. In the 24 years that we have been running the charity has never broken its promise of anonymity.”

They added: “Did you see suspicious activity on one of the two nights? Did someone you know display unusual behaviour that night? Has someone confessed to being involved or tried to sell you a laptop in suspicious circumstances?

“Crimestoppers want any information, no matter how insignificant you feel it may be”.

Individuals will only qualify for the reward by passing on information anonymously to Crimestoppers through its 0800 555 111 number.