An estimated £15,000 worth of lead has been stolen from the roof of a primary school in Kingston.

Students and staff at St Luke's School in Acre Road returned back from the Christmas break yesterday to find several leaks in the corridors, after thieves lifted the heavy metal between Monday, December 23 and Tuesday, December 31.

St Luke's headteacher Pat Allen said: "What I don't think these people realise is they are not stealing from the school, they are stealing from the children.

"People think you can take things because the school insurance covers it, but actually it doesn't.

"The insurance only covers weather damage to the roof, not theft.

"We're a small school and it just means we're going to have much less to spend on the children."

Police have issued an appeal through the Burton Road, Richmond Park Road and Gibbon Road residents' association (BRaG) asking for people with any information to come forward.

Anyone with information should contact the Canbury ward safer neighbourhood team at canbury.snt@met.police.uk or call 020 7161 8115 and leave a message.