Brazen thieves steal wooden playhouse from children at Christ Church Upper Armley school

Christ Church Upper Armley's head of school Sam Collier said she was "shocked and saddened" at the theft, which happened 8am on Saturday morning.

Not only did the brazen thieves manage to lift a solid wooden playhouse over a six foot high fence, they returned two more times throughout the day to take the windows they'd left behind, and even the plastic utensils that were used in the children's kitchen.

Ms Collier said: "I was shocked because it is the children's - you don't take from children."

The head teacher said there had been a handful of break-ins at the Theaker Lane school in the two years she had been there but this incident stuck out.

"It was disbelief, stealing from children - it's really low," she added.

The playhouse, complete with fitted kitchen and wooden chairs, was a bespoke solid wood construction that will not be possible to replace directly.

"I don't know how they got it over the fence, they must have been magicians," Ms Collier said.

"We had it re-varnished this summer. We'd invested a lot of time and money.

"Any replacement will have to be bolted to the floor."

The corner of the key stage one playground is in a CCTV blind spot and is not overlooked by neighbouring houses.

Ms Collier said the 50 pupils who are currently in school had been told the playhouse had been taken, but did not say it had been stolen so as not to scare them.

"A few were very upset," she added.

To buy another playhouse would cost in the region of £600, but Ms Collier said she had been amazed at the number of people from the community who had offered to help.

"It's really heart-warming the way the community has pulled together and said they will help and raise money," she added.

Plans for an online fundraiser are currently being discussed.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "‘If anyone has information about the theft we would ask them to contact Leeds District Police on 101 referencing police crime number 13210050448.

"Information can also be given online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat or anonymously to the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111”

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