A BASINGSTOKE school is being plagued by a gang of youths who have vandalised property and intimidated members of staff.

Staff and pupils were devastated to return to Hatch Warren Infant School after the Easter holidays and discover that a shed containing toys had been broken into and the contents strewn across the playground.

Headteacher Michelle Moore told The Gazette that youths have also come onto the school site after hours, climbing onto the roof and intimidating members of staff.

Last Friday, one member of staff was verbally and racially abused by one member of the gang, who wear hooded tops and are believed to be aged between 14 and 18.

It is the second time the school, in Gershwin Road, Brighton Hill, has been targeted by vandals.

As reported in The Gazette last year, around £2,000 of damage was caused to the playground during the Easter holidays in 2014.

Mrs Moore said the school decided not to replace a play-house damaged during the incident last year because of concerns it would be targeted again, and had instead stored the pupils' toys in sheds.

She added: "They broke into one of the sheds again and discarded the toys everywhere."

She said the vandals also broke a gazebo used by Year R pupils and "littered the playground with toys and glass".

Glass was also thrown onto the roof and guttering along a Year R classroom was damaged.

It is thought the same gang are responsible for intimidating staff after pupils have left for the day.

Mrs Moore said: "They have tried to taunt members of staff and when the police have arrived they have run. The nature of the site is so big it's easy for them to escape."

She added: "It hit a crescendo on Friday night when a member of staff was racially and verbally abused. They had been asked to move on by the member of staff several times and they came back for a final time laden with sticks and batons looking to cause trouble."

Parents and those living close to the school were sent a letter about the problems, and asked to report any trespassers to the police, in an attempt to catch those responsible.

Mrs Moore said she had also spoken to staff about the problems, adding: "I have had to warn them in terms of their safety."

She also said she had concerns that those climbing onto the roof could die if they fall.

She added: "It's mindless and thoughtless...the damage is impacting on four and five-year-olds who have done nothing wrong."

The school has been offered free CCTV cameras to help with the problem, from DDL Security.

Hampshire Constabulary said: "Police are investigating following a report that roof tiles had been thrown from the roof of Hatch Warren School in Gershwin Road, Basingstoke, on April 22.

"Officers were called to the school shortly after 7pm after reports that a group of youths had been seen running on the school roof. The youths fled the area on the police's arrival at the school."

Anyone with information can contact police on 101.