A HEADTEACHER is calling for Home Secretary Jack Straw to get tough on criminals after vandals smashed 53 windows at his school.

Bob Pilborough, head of Rosehill Junior School, Burnley, said: "Even if they do catch whoever did this, the young people and their parents will not be properly punished and for the most part they will get away with it.

"Jack Straw talks tough but punishments at the moment are just like hitting someone with a paper towel. The law must be changed and parents and their children must be made to face up to the crimes they have committed.

"It is a waste of public money. Young people say they have no facilities and then they waste public money in unnecessary repairs to vandalism like this."

The 300-pupil school was attacked both on Saturday and yesterday, and Mr Pilborough was on site both days helping to clear up. Glaziers were in today repairing the damage.

He also had 60 parents of prospective pupils this morning touring the premises to see where their children would be educated.

The school is covered by two CCTV security cameras but police said they were damaged.

Mr Pilborough said the pictures taken by the cameras were being examined and he was working with parents and the police to try to find the culprits.

Three of the school's classes were away on day trips today so although lessons were disrupted, Mr Pilborough said they were able to relocate classes.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious is asked to contact Burnley police on 01282 425001.

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