College resembles 'horror scene'

Vandals have caused up to £100,000 worth of damage after breaking into a college for the disabled in Norfolk. The Residential Centre at The College of West Anglia, King's Lynn, has been described as "a horror scene" by college principal Peter Stewart.

Windows and kitchen units were smashed along with toilets and sinks leading to extensive flood damage. "They have systematically gone through the building smashing everything they could find", Mr Stewart said.

The centre in Tennyson Avenue is used during term-time by students with learning disabilities and difficulties. It houses up to 40 students on a residential basis during term-time and takes an extra 25 students for day study.

Mr Stewart continued: "It must have taken them a long time to carry out such destruction. Because of the vandalism to the toilets there has been a considerable amount flood damage caused. It is going to take months to put right and I would imagine it will cost well over £100,000. It is a residential centre for students with learning difficulties and disabilities so the people it is going to hit hard are those who already have a lot to overcome."

Electrical equipment, including televisions, was thrown out of third floor windows. The ceiling has collapsed in the conference room because of flood damage and glass is strewn across the floor.

It is believed the vandals broke into the centre some time between 1600BST on Thursday and 0830BST on Friday. Pc Jamie Cowen, of Norfolk Constabulary, said: "This is just sheer wanton vandalism. "They must have been on the scene for some time to have caused such colossal damage." A large group of teenagers was seen in the area early on Friday.