Yorkshire stone snatched from Hanging Heaton school classroom

Hanging Heaton Junior and Infant School has been left 'devastated' after thieves made off with a possible six tonnes of Yorkhire stone slates from a classroom roof.
The roof tiles have been snatched from Hanging Heaton school. Picture by Ash Milnes.The roof tiles have been snatched from Hanging Heaton school. Picture by Ash Milnes.
The roof tiles have been snatched from Hanging Heaton school. Picture by Ash Milnes.

Caretaker Graeme Gomersall discovered the theft on the early years classroom which joins the school hall as he arrived to open up.

The culprits had sneaked into the school site in High Street, Batley, between 12.30am and 5am yesterday morning.

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Because of safety fears the school, which has 140 pupils, had to shut yesterday – affecting around 100 families.

Deputy headteacher Sue Brooke-Mason said: “We were all devastated. Our immediate concern was the safety aspect.

“As well as taking the huge Yorkshire stone slates there were lots that were also left precariously on the roof.

“It’s awful really, we’re very disappointed and it hugely impacted a lot of families and a lot of children have lost a day of school.

“It was hugley disappointing for us.”

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Around three-quarters of the roof – a potential six tonnes of stone – had been stolen.

But there was a further danger that the slates could drop on to the neighbouring hall’s roof.

West Yorkshire Police confirmed that the theft took place and said enquiries are on going.

Anyone with information should call 101.