BLACKPOOL education chiefs are stepping up security after a wave of break-ins and vandalism at schools in the town.

Grange Park Junior School, which had to close for two days last week after hooligans smashed windows and wrecked a special needs unit, had two security guards on duty throughout the weekend.

But neighbouring Christ the King RC School in Bathurst Avenue had three windows smashed.

School head Jo Fleming said they had been fighting a constant battle since nearby St Mary's RC High School had a high security fence erected earlier this year and vandals found an easier target.

"We must have had 50 windows smashed this year, causing £3,000-worth of damage," said Mrs Fleming.

"Young louts climbed on the roof despite sticky anti-vandal paint, stuffing rubbish down drainpipes so that classrooms flooded during a downpour on Friday (November 5) and pupils had to be sent home."

She added: "It's a small nucleus of children who get some sort of kick out of it and it's very demoralising."

Last week, Moor Park Infants School in Bispham had windows in the main hall shattered and a new £400 Coomber sound-system and Toshiba TV stolen. Head Barbara Ivell appealed to neighbours to be vigilant and call police if they see anything suspicious.

"It's very upsetting," she said. "It almost seems fashionable to break into primary schools and steal from the children."

Waterloo Primary in South Shore has been broken into twice this term, losing thousands of pounds of computer and TV equipment.

All the schools have security alarms but this has not prevented the incidents happening. Blackpool education director Dr David Sanders said they were looking at all ways of improving school security without making schools into fortresses.

"We have a risk management group looking at security," he said, "and clearly what's taking place in schools at the moment is influencing the way we proceed.

"But while these incidents are becoming more common, I don't think it's something that is particularly against Blackpool schools - all authorities face it to a greater or lesser extent and Blackpool is by no means at the worst end of the scale.

"That's not to underestimate the difficulties experienced when you have the kind of attacks our schools have suffered."

Fortunately, the community has rallied round - wellwishers donated some six fish tanks to Grange Park School, whose aquarium was smashed, including Focus Do It All who replaced the fish as well. And a video recorder was given to Waterloo School.

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