THIEVES have taken computer equipment valued at almost £2,000 after breaking into St Peter's Junior School in Marlborough.

The theft occurred between 6pm on Thursday and 7am the next day.

The same night £2,500 of computer equipment was stolen from the Kennet Housing Society offices, also in The Parade, and police believe the two thefts could be connected.

The thieves broke into the school by smashing the window of a ground floor classroom, said PC John 'Geordie' Forster, who is investigating the break-in.

After climbing inside they stole a Bush CD player valued at £30, an Erigo Mercury lap top computer valued at £850 and a Sanyo overhead projector valued at £920.

To reach the housing society offices the thief or thieves used an external fire escape to another property to reach a 2ft wide ledge that they clambered along to reach a sash window, which they forced.

Inside the building they untidily searched the housing society offices before taking a desk top PC valued at £800, a £400 computer monitor, a £1,000 flat screen monitor and another monitor valued at £300.

They retraced their steps along the ledge carrying the equipment to make their escape.

Anyone who saw activity in the school grounds or in the area behind the housing society offices or who saw people loitering suspiciously in The Parade overnight on Thursday is asked to contact PC Forster at Marlborough police station in George Lane on (01672) 512311.