By Isabelle Bates
Vandals who broke into two Wolverhampton schools and caused thousands of pounds worth of damage have been condemned by the local council. Intruders destroyed expensive equipment during the rampage including interactive whiteboards, iPads and ICT items. It is thought that the vandals broke into Green Park and Stowlawn Primary schools at around 8.30pm on Thursday, July 3, before fleeing when a caretaker disturbed them. As a result, both schools were closed to students yesterday (Friday, July 4) as work was carried out at the sites. READ MORE: Midland motorway crash leaves one dead after ‘report of injured person in road’ Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp , click the link to join A spokesperson for City of Wolverhampton Council said: “Damage at the schools included to: external and internal doors, fire doors, toilets and interactive whiteboards that were smashed, while iPads and ICT equipment were destroyed, and fire extinguishers were discharged. “A mobile swimming pool was also damaged and changing rooms ransacked, and attempts were made to start fires inside the building. “Council officers have been onsite overnight with police and school staff to assess the damage, estimated at over 拢100,000.” It is hoped the schools will be able to reopen as soon as possible. The leader of the council, cllr Stephen Simkins, branded the acts of vandalism as 鈥渄isgusting鈥 and called for the prosecution of the “idiotic” vandals involved. He said: 鈥淲e are absolutely appalled by this disgusting act of mindless vandalism. Those who have committed this crime need to be caught and prosecuted to the full power of the law. “These idiotic vandals are a blight on our communities and we will not tolerate them. “We are working closely with police to find out what happened and make sure those responsible are held accountable. “Together, we must stand against this kind of senseless behaviour and reaffirm our commitment to protecting our schools and the children and young people who depend on them”. Cllr Jacqui Coogan, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, added: “We strongly condemn this disgusting and mindless act of vandalism which has caused so much upset and disruption for staff, children and families at both Green Park and Stowlawn Primary schools. “Early estimates suggest the vandalism has caused upwards of 拢100,000 worth of damage, with fittings, furniture and equipment needing to be removed and replaced. “This is money that the schools, the council and the city鈥檚 taxpayers can ill afford. 鈥淥fficers are working hard to assess the extent of the damage, and the work that must take place to enable the schools to reopen to children and staff as quickly as possible. “I would urge anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity near either school or who has any information that could assist the investigation to come forward. Your voice could make a vital difference.” Green Park headteacher, Lorraine Downey, said: “We would like to thank drivers, passenger assistants and cleaners from across the city, led by the council’s Head of School Business and Support, Bill Hague, and also our own staff members, who have volunteered their time this morning to help the clear up. “Also, our heartfelt thanks goes to our brave community caretaker, who intercepted the intruders.” Stowlawn Primary headteacher, Kate Charles, added: “We are absolutely devastated that someone would choose to target our schools like this for no reason. The impact over the past few hours for the staff, children and our families has been immense. “However, the local authority’s support has been amazing, as have the police, and we have received so many messages of support from our amazing families and local community. “Luckily the damage is repairable and we are working to welcome our children back to school as soon as we can.” Anyone with information is asked to contact Wolverhampton Police on 101, quoting crime reference 20/296969/25.