TRADERS have rallied round after thieves ransacked a small village school last week and stole all the children's Christmas presents.

The thieves, who pulled out a double-glazed window to gain entry into the school in the early hours of Thursday morning last week, emptied cupboards and drawers and stole a computer, a camera and other items worth more than £2,000. Two sacks of wrapped and named presents were taken, which were due to be handed out to the youngest children by Santa Claus.

Head teacher Val Culff said: "I cannot begin to understand the mentality or the motivation of those who commit crimes such as this. I have struggled desperately to seek reasons for this crime and to forgive I have failed.

"Crockerton is such a little school; it's like the children's home. They were all quite anxious after the burglary and it has been a hard lesson for them all. Doors, windows, computers and even presents can be replaced. Children's feelings, however, are more fragile and more precious."

An assembly was quickly organised to reassure the children they were safe and all the locks have been changed.

Preparations for the school's nativity play that evening were hampered as the buildings were closed all day whilst police investigated. However, Mrs Culff worked hard with staff to clear up the mess, so it could go ahead.

She said: "We didn't want the children to be disappointed. The play went fantastically. The children helped to brighten an otherwise dark day."

Photographer David Wiltshire, retail wholesaler Junction Eighteen, Warminster Lions and pupils' grandparents donated cuddly toys and money to replace the stolen presents.

Andrew Gorman, David Wiltshire's business partner, said: "To take computers is one thing, but to steal presents is the lowest of the low. Christmas is for children, so we decided to cheer them up with some cuddly toys, and chocolate for the staff."

Mrs Culff said the gifts helped restore her faith in human nature. She said: "It was easy to think the world was an evil place after it happened, but you quickly find out the majority of people are really wonderful."

Anyone with any information about the burglary should call Warminster police on (01985) 847000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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