THIEVES risked their lives and caused tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage after stealing lead from a Glasgow primary school roof.

 

Nearly 300 children had to be sent home from Wellshot Primary School yesterday after the building became flooded due to the lead theft.

During the festive holidays, vandals climbed onto the school roof, in the Tollcross/Shettleston area and ripped the valuable metal off.

It is estimated the 120 square metres they took would be worth in the region of £1300.

But the cost to repair the 100-year-old building is believed to be around £30,000.

Builders are still assessing the extent of the damage and the full cost.

Police have launched an investigation and are carrying out door to door inquiries.

Headteacher Jennifer McCluskey said staff had noticed there was some leaking on Monday - the first day back to school after the Christmas holidays for the 286 pupils.

However, yesterday the cleaners arrived to find water cascading down the stairs and from the top floor.

Walls, flooring, ceilings and textbooks left floating in the water have been destroyed.

When builders were called to investigate they discovered the roof had been stripped bare.

Ms McCluskey said: "The cleaners were ankle deep in water. It was pouring down through the whole school.

"This has caused so much damage to the building and the resources, and it means all our pupils have missed out on school.

"We have been off for two weeks so we don't know exactly when this happened."

Parents of the youngsters were called and told their children could not be at school until the problem had been investigated.

They have been asked to check the Glasgow City Council website and Twitter to see if it was able to re-open today.

Ms McCluskey said: "The parents have been very understanding."

Hazel Grimes, 35, whose two children Daniel, 10 and five-year-old Sophie go to the school, said she could not believe it when she received the phone call.

She said: "I had no idea what the problem was and when I came to get my kids I couldn't believe it was down to a lead theft. I heard the water was flowing down the stairs.

"It's hard for me to find a babysitter at short notice, and I'm sure other parents feel the same."

Councillor Stephen Curran, executive member for education urged anyone with information on the theft to come forward.

He said: "The children's education has been disrupted due to the callous actions of these vandals and thieves.

"It will cost thousands to repair and anyone with any information on this crime should contact their local police station."

A spokeswoman from Police Scotland said: "Officers are investigating the theft of lead from the school roof of Wellshot Primary School.

"Door to door inquiries are being carried out and inquiries are ongoing."