VANDALS have trashed the classrooms at two local schools, causing thousands of dollars in damage.

Police have appealed for assistance from the public after both Perthville and O’Connell public schools were targeted overnight on Monday.

Police said Perthville Public School was broken into and several rooms ransacked. Once inside, the thieves stole cash, cheques and a petrol can. The school’s safe was also badly damaged.

Meanwhile, at O’Connell Public School, the vandals broke in before ransacking seven rooms. Cash and cheques were among the items stolen and petrol from a can in the garden shed was splashed around the playground. 

Chifley local area command duty officer Inspector Mark Wall said yesterday police were continuing their investigations into the break ins and are hoping someone in the community may be able to assist with their inquiries.

He said often those responsible for damaging schools wrongly believe there are no victims, but in reality incidents such as these can have a profound effect on the community.

“Basically they are stealing from and hurting the students and their teachers,” he said.

Inspector Wall said police regularly patrol schools across the command, but would certainly be stepping up patrols across the board to try to prevent repeat behaviour.

He reminded the community that all schools come under the Enclosed Lands Act and anyone found on school grounds after hours without express permission from the principal will be prosecuted. He urged anyone who sees anything suspicious to get in touch with police as soon as they see something.

“Timely information is vital. And it doesn’t matter how insignificant it seems, it may be that piece of information we are looking for,” he said.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education and Training said yesterday that any theft or damage from a public school is a concern.

“It unnecessarily requires resources to be directed towards replacement rather than expanding equipment available for student learning. It is also disappointing to students, staff and the wider school community who take a pride in their school,” they said.

The spokesperson said the Department of Education and Communities and public schools value community members who share their pride and alert authorities to inappropriate people and activities at schools, especially outside school hours.

“Anyone with any information about the overnight incidents is encouraged to notify police or call the School Security hotline on 1300 880021,” they said.

In a separate incident, thieves also tried to break into Oberon High School on Monday night.