A school for autistic children has had to employ private security guards to try to protect it from burglars and vandals.

Netherlands Avenue School and Community Nursery in Odsal, Bradford, has suffered a dozen incidents, including arson attacks, break-ins and vandalism, since July last year.

Head teacher Gary Bowden said cash which should be used to educate pupils was now having to pay for security guards, alarm systems and an audio link.

Mr Bowden said: "It has been going on endlessly for a number of years and I have had enough.

"The last 12 months have been particularly bad. Windows are smashed, computers, projectors and other equipment has been stolen and racist graffiti has been daubed on the walls and furniture."

The initials BNP, NF and KKK have been left on playground equipment and on doors leading into the school which has 65 pupils with special needs and 45 pupils at the community nursery.

Many of the pupils, aged two to 11-years-old, have varying degrees of autism and need consistency in their lessons. Mr Bowden said: "It is the disruption and loss of teaching hours that causes problems.

"Many of our pupils are on the autistic spectrum and they lose their education, they lose the teaching that was planned for them and the class is disordered leaving them disturbed."

On Monday this week, burglars smashed through a glass door to get into a classroom.

An overhead projector was ripped from the ceiling and stolen.

Mr Bowden said: "The teaching that was planned for the day involved the white-board and it couldn't be done."

Yesterday more graffiti was sprayed across the wall and doors in the nursery.

Police are treating the vandalism as racially-aggravated criminal damage.

Mr Bowden has also been critical of the police response to the school's problems.

He said: "I have written to the Chief Superintendent expressing my dismay at the lack of support that we have been given.

"What I want the police to do is discuss what can be done about the particular problems on this particular site."

"I would like some community policing of the area and when incidents happen I would like them to be followed up. I feel I want a better service."

A West Yorkshire police spokesman said: "If Mr Bowden has concerns about how the police have dealt with the incidents he has reported to us, then we would ask that he contact us directly to discuss the matter."

Councillor Dale Smith, Bradford Council's executive member for Children's Services, said: "It is really upsetting that we are having to spend money in this way.

"I appeal to the community nearby to the school to help safeguard their assets and put the vulnerable children first and dob in these thieves and vandals as rapidly as possible."

Councillor Phil Thornton, chairman of the Council's young people and education improvement committee, said: " I am disgusted. This is a school for vulnerable children, what on earth are people thinking targeting such a school?"

Police have urged anyone with information about the attacks on the school to contact the helpdesk at Bradford Central Police Station on (01274) 376459.

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