Headteachers and shokeepers are counting the cost of vandalism.

Vandals left Cooper School, Churchill Road, and Longfields Primary School, Longfields Road, both in Bicester, with clear-up operations after attacks last week.

Keith McClellan, headteacher at Cooper School, said: "They caused around £13,000 damage. They totally trashed the library and dropped computers off a balcony.

"Sinks were blocked and the taps were left running which caused flooding."

Longfields headteacher Jim Hooper said: "They spread around glue and paint and ripped things off the walls. They also sprayed a fire extinguisher around and smashed up a computer. They literally pulped it."

Police spokesman David Campbell said: "Schools in Bicester do seem to be coming in for a bit of a hammering from these mindless idiots. We are looking to see if there is any link between these two offences."

Nine shops in Bicester were also raided on Sunday night with items stolen including a till, charity boxes, cigarettes and alcohol. Many buildings suffered damaged doors or smashed windows during the incidents in Sheep Street, Evans Yard, Crown Walk, Deans Court and Villiers Road.

Bill Shepard, of Cole's Bookstore, Crown Walk, said: "They got in and stole a charity box from the counter. I think it was disgraceful and shows the need for security gates in Crown Walk."

Two teenagers are being questioned by police in connection with the shop raids.

Story date: Tuesday 02 March

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