UK COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOL http://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/content/redbridge/recorder/news/story.aspx?brand=RECOnline&category=newsIlford&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newsilford&itemid=WeED15%20Mar%202007%2013%3A23%3A23%3A600

Pupils heart-broken over computer raid
- 15 March 2007
HEARTLESS thieves stole a batch of laptop computers from a special needs school, leaving pupils distressed and missing some of their work.The weekend raid saw a number of distinctive white Apple laptops taken from a safe at New Rush Hall School, Fencepiece Road, Hainault.Head of school Maureen Smyth said: "There was a lot of anxiety among the pupils, who are vulnerable anyway."It's been difficult because some of the pupils have lost a lot of work."A caretaker discovered the laptops missing on Monday morning. A window had been broken and a padlocked safe, where the computers were kept, forced open.Ms Smyth said: "They're for use across the curriculum, but our main concern is that pupils view school as a safe place and to find it's been violated like this is very hard for them and quite distressing."Forensics teams have searched the school for clues and are believed to have found a fingerprint.Glass had to be cleared from the school grounds before the youngsters went out to play on Monday.A class of nine and 10-year-olds had been using the computers, which are worth hundreds of pounds.Ms Smyth said: "We've had to use other classrooms, but obviously lots of their work has been lost and it's upsetting for the children."Whoever did it went to a lot of trouble, so it's just upsetting really."The school caters for children and young people aged six to 16 who have social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.Sgt Adrian Towler, of Fairlop Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "It's not the first time this has happened. It's a nasty thing to do, given the type of school it is, but last time it happened, several were taken too."Anyone with information should call Pc Towler on 020 8721 2569.