The Westlands School has been left counting the cost after it was targeted by thieves.

Earth cables were ripped out from four of its boiler rooms and further cables taken from the outside of the building.

The exact date of the theft is not known, but it is believed to have happened during the summer break, which ran from July 23 to September 3.

It was discovered by the site manager and the cost of replacing the cables and repairs was about £2,000.

The incident has been reported to the police – reference number XY/031572/14.

Head teacher Simon Cox said: “It needed to be sorted out fairly quickly because the earth cables have a safety function, but it didn’t affect the running of the school.”

During the past 22 months, more than 710 break-ins and burglaries have been brought to this paper’s attention.

The latest incidents are: A garage was damaged during a burglary in Crown Road, Sittingbourne, between August 28-30 – XY/031122/14.

Between August 31 and September 2, a garden shed was burgled in Tunstall Road, Tunstall – XY/031686/14.

An empty property in Callaways Lane, Newington, was entered illegally between August 23 and September 5 – XY/031603/14.

Thieves tried to break into a shed at Trotts Hall Gardens, Sittingbourne, between September 2-3 – XY/031481/14.

Between August 4-5 a garage was burgled in Gorse Road, Murston – XY/031735/14.

Anyone with any information is asked to call 101, quoting the relevant reference number.