Thief sneaks into classroom

The thief climbed into the classroom through an unlocked window when he spotted the room was empty.

He grabbed the phone, keys and even a tracksuit and was climbing back out through the window at Farnworth's Highfield Primary School, Marsh Lane, as the children returned to the classroom. The thief fled.

The windows would normally have been locked, but, as the pupils from year five were only out of the room for minutes, it was not thought there was any need to make the room secure.

The children's outdoor play area is locked throughout the day, but it is believed the thief reached the classroom by sneaking through the staff car park.

Margaret Parrish, headteacher, informed all of the parents of the break-in -- which happened at 11.45am on Thursday -- by sending letters to homes.

Mrs Parrish claimed the break-in was especially disturbing as it was so opportunist and had created an "unsettled" atmosphere.

She said: "Half of the group had been working in that room and the other half were in the computer suite. They had only come together for a few minutes to look at something on the computer."

Police described the thief who struck this week as white, aged 18, 6ft tall, slim build with short shaven ginger hair. He wore a navy blue tracksuit. Anyone with information should contact Bolton Police on 0161 856 5050 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

PUPILS spotted a sneak thief escaping out of a classroom window after stealing their teacher's mobile phone -- and a bunch of keys from his jacket.

The thief climbed into the emty classroom through an unlocked window.

He grabbed the phone, keys and a tracksuit and was climbing back out through the window at Farnworth's Highfield Primary School, Marsh Lane, as the children returned to the classroom. The thief fled.

The windows would normally have been locked, but, as the pupils from year five were only out of the room for minutes, it was not thought there was any need to make the room secure.

The children's outdoor play area is locked throughout the day, but it is believed the thief reached the classroom by sneaking through the staff car park.

Margaret Parrish, headteacher, informed all of the parents of the break-in -- which happened at 11.45am on Thursday -- by sending letters to them.

Mrs Parrish claimed the break-in was especially disturbing as it was so opportunist and had created an "unsettled" atmosphere.

She said: "Half of the group had been working in that room and the other half were in the computer suite. They had only come together for a few minutes to look at something on the computer."

Police described the thief who struck this week as white, aged 18, 6ft tall, slim build with short shaven ginger hair. He wore a navy blue tracksuit. Anyone with information should contact Bolton Police on 0161 856 5050 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.