THIEVES broke into Cricklade Town Council's Civic Offices and stole computer equipment worth nearly £2,000.

Police believe a gang used a crowbar to force their way through a small window at the rear of the offices in Cricklade High Street.

Cables were severed and two computer monitors and a hard drive stolen, but the thieves did not attempt to take the computer's server, which contains vital information on council staff and taxpayers in the town, or other valuable objects.

The council is now renewing its security measures and thinking of placing metal bars across all windows, replacing the alarm system and upgrading its CCTV.

Council clerk Margaret Griffiths said: "We will not be replacing the computers until we have reviewed our security measures and I've requested an urgent meeting with North Wiltshire District Council.

"The thieves cut through the computer cables and stole the monitors, but I'm pleased they didn't take the server."

The thieves broke into the offices in a parade of buildings known as Ockwells at around 9pm on Saturday and escaped across fields leading to Prior Park Preparatory School in Calcutt Street.

Although the windows were not linked to the burglar alarm, a sensor activated the system and a passing police patrol stopped to check the building.

The modern offices only opened in August last year and the two Stone computers were less than six months old. Anyone with information is urged to call Cricklade police on Swindon 750207.