CHILDREN at two Vale schools had their lessons disrupted this week after thieves broke in and stole valuable computers and projectors worth thousands of pounds.

Bengeworth First School and Simon de Montfort Middle School in Evesham both had computer equipment stolen after thieves forced their way into the buildings on Monday.

David Braham, head at Bengeworth First School, discovered the theft after seeing a rear window was forced open when arriving at the school on Tuesday at 8am.

Mr Braham found 14 computers from the computer suite and four in other classrooms and five projectors had been stolen.

"This theft has left both teachers and children at the school distressed mainly because of the thought that someone actually broke into our school and has taken property which is primarily for the use of the children," said Mr Braham.

Police believe the RM1 computers screens and projectors, estimated to be worth £25,000, were stolen between 5pm on Monday and 8am on Tuesday.

Thieves also broke into the Simon de Montfort School on Four Pools Lane, Evesham, and stole computer equipment.

Head of the middle School, Dr Philip Rogers, said: "In the current age we live in it is not hard to believe that even schools would be the target of theft. Schools do face difficulty in maintaining high standards of equipment and any sort of equipment that goes from the school makes it harder for us all."

The theft at Simon de Montfort happened at 5pm on Monday.

Evesham beat manager PC Paul Adams said: "We're linking these two incidents.

At the end of the day it's the children who suffer and we'd appeal to anyone who may have seen or heard anything to contact the police immediately on 08457 444888."

The thefts come a week after thieves stole computer and other electronic equipment worth more than £7,000 from St Nicholas Middle School in Pinvin.