A NEWPORT headteacher says he is sick of smash and grab raids at his school after suffering seven break-ins over the last fortnight.

Richard Hughes, headteacher of Alway Primary School in Aberthaw Road, said thousands of pounds of equipment was stolen in the raids.

The last break in happened overnight on Monday when two lap tops, computer monitors, a DVD player and whiteboard projectors were snatched.

It followed six similar burglaries when computer equipment was stolen after thieves kicked in doors and chiselled out windows to gain entry.

The school, which is alarmed, is now looking at installing more CCTV cameras and putting bars on doors to stop them from being targeted.

"The people doing this are mindless," said Mr Hughes. "They are denying our pupils tools for their education. It is frustrating because everybody has worked hard to raise funds to get the children what they need.

"We're all disappointed that we now have to start from scratch. I think we will be stepping up security by putting bars on doors and by putting more cameras up.

"We do have alarms and they went off but the culprits fled before police arrived."

Mr Hughes believes the school, which has 372 pupils, was last targeted after 7pm on Tuesday.

He has reported all incidents to Gwent Police.

A spokesman for Gwent Police said they were appealing for information about the raids.

Nobody has been arrested in connection with the offences.

"We are investigating the incidents and we are studying CCTV footage," she said.

"Anybody with information should contact us."

Anyone with infomation can phone Gwent Police on 01633 838111.