The head teacher of a Bradford school, plagued by drug addicts, vandals and burglars, is pleading for help to keep out intruders who are making life a misery for staff and pupils.

Break-ins and damage at Atlas Primary School in Manningham are costing thousands of pounds and upsetting the children.

Staff have had to clear up used needles left by heroin addicts and cannabis dumped in the school grounds.

In recent months, vandals have uprooted newly-planted apple and pear trees in the school’s garden, set fire to the children’s mini-beast play structure, burned compost bins, smashed floodlights, damaged security shutters on doors and windows and damaged wooden benches in a chill-out area for the children.

Drug-users also use the grounds when the school is closed to smoke drugs. Cannabis has been found hidden in bushes and heroin needles discovered in the grounds.

The latest incidents happened during the half-term break when intruders smashed a window to the school hall, damaged air conditioning vents as they climbed in, and stole a laptop used for assemblies and lessons. The burglars also damaged an interactive white board.

A security company boss, Jonathan Heaton, who happened to be driving past the school during half term, photographed intruders on the school roof.

Head teacher Caroline Carr said: “It is so frustrating. I have told the children in assembly that it is naughty people who are taking from them.

“A lot of it is mindless vandalism. The children planted fruit trees and the next day they had been uprooted. We are an inner- city school and don’t have a lot of greenery. We are making the most of what little we have got and it is just being destroyed. It is very upsetting for the children and frustrating for the staff.”

Inspector Steve Dodds, of the Manningham and Toller Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “In the last year there have been a total of four separate incidents ranging from damage to burglary.

“Patrols have been increased in the area and we are actively gathering intelligence to target those involved in drugs. We will now be arranging a further meeting with the head teacher to look toward other solutions.”

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