Thieves pulled down a wind turbine from the county's first wind-powered school in a bid to steal its metal for scrap.
The 30ft turbine, at Climping St Mary's School near Littlehampton, was found by teachers on the ground.
The securing bolts of the £35,000 structure had been removed and ropes had been tied to it in one corner of the school's playing field.
Tools, including three large wrenches, were found nearby.
Police believe the aim was either to strip it of copper and other metals that could be re-sold or that the attack was wan act of vandalism.
The damage is expected to cost up to £25,000 to fix.
The tools have been sent away for forensic tests.
Headteacher Janet Llewelyn said: "A group of staff arrived at school at the same time on Wednesday and found the turbine lying on the ground.
"It was a very sorry sight.
"Tools were left nearby and we know it hadn't blown down as it was secured with bolts used to hold up pylons.
"The whole thing was just so dangerous. A rope that had been tied to a tree to lower it to the ground had snapped, sending it crashing down. Someone could have been killed.
"The children are devastated. One boy had been out all lunchtime looking for clues."
Pupils reacted angrily to the news that someone had tried to steal their turbine, which is a beacon of the school's green credentials.
Kayleigh Puttock, ten, said: "I think it's very sad because when it's up we like to jump over the shadows of the blades."
Tommy Cushway, ten, said he hoped police caught whoever was responsible and "locked them up".
He said: "When it was up the turbine made me feel good because I knew we were protecting the environment but now it's down I feel sad.
"I hope the police catch these people and lock them up. They should be told that it's wrong to wreck other people's property."
A spokesman for West Sussex County Council said the aim was to get the turbine, which was insured, up and running again as soon as possible.
The turbine was officially opened in September 2005 and was the first to be installed at a West Sussex school.
In its brief life its three 2.75-metre blades generated 15,000 kw hours of energy - one-third of the school's electricity account and generated a surplus which has been re-sold back to the National Grid.
A panel inside the school showed the running tally of how much had been generated.
PC Peter Childs of Sussex Police said: "It's soul-destroying to see the turbine damaged in this way because the school were very proud of it.
"It's either sheer vandalism, which I doubt, or they were after the copper inside the turbine which is not worth much compared with the amount of damage caused.
"It's always sad when people attack schools as these are our children who come in and see it."
Anyone with information should call PC Childs at Arundel police station on 0845 6070999.
For more information about crime in your area visit the local information section of this website.
1 comment:
Smells like Countryside Alliance to me...
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