Vandals smash 30 windows andset fire to school

Vandals started a blaze at a North-east secondary school.

The louts set fire to a mobile office at Aberdeen's HazleheadAcademy.

Rubbish bins were also set alight.

Around 30 windows were also smashed at the Groat's Road school -some of them from the heat of the flames from the out-building andothers by the wreckers.

Police said they were treating the fire as suspicious.

A spokesman for the force described the incident as "adisgraceful act of vandalism". Fire and Rescue Service crews racedto the school when the alarm was raised around 11pm.

Firefighters had to put on breathing apparatus to tackle theflames from the mobile office.

Used to store drama equipment, the building was totallydestroyed.

A Grampian Police spokesman said: "This is a totally disgracefulact of destruction to a community building.

"Someone will have information regarding the person or personsresponsible for these offences.

"We appeal to them to bring this information forward to theauthorities."

The cost of the damage has not yet been assessed.

One of the councillors for the area, Jennifer Stewart, todayslammed the culprits.

She said: "This was a mindless attack and so worrying.

"You move forward then you take several steps back with this kindof thing.

"I think those responsible, when found, should be made to financethe damage and reinstate what they have done.

"It's such a waste of resources.

"This just opens up a whole new set of questions. Do we need morepolice patrolling the area and better CCTV? When the teachers andpupils go back to school after their break, I imagine they will doso with very heavy hearts."

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