A former school has been ransacked by burglars who smashed windows, plastered it with racist graffiti and lit a fire.

Police were called to reports of a break-in at Rudolf Steiner School in Kings Langley at around 11.30pm on Friday, May 14.
The charity RSSKL Ltd, which manages the site in Langley Hill, said graffiti was sprayed on the gym walls and floor and a fire was started inside.

Numerous rooms were also broken into and trashed and equipment was thrown out of a second floor window.

Watford Observer: Footprints visible in splattered paintFootprints visible in splattered paint

A charity trustee confirmed stairwells, classrooms and corridors, including a mosaic created by former pupils, were squirted with paint.

The vandals also let off fire extinguishers, with one being stolen, and a CCTV camera was smashed.

More than 20 footballs were taken from the gym before later being found by a dog walker on Kings Langley common.

Charity trustee, Steffi Cook, said: "The break-in appeared to have been carried out for no reason other than to cause damage, and some of the graffiti was offensive and racist.

Watford Observer: Graffiti in the gym hallGraffiti in the gym hall

“We were baffled and saddened by the sheer amount of mindless destruction.

“RSSKL trustees have worked hard to ensure that the site is now secure and will be well looked after until a new school can open.

“This has been a pointless waste of resources for us, we would be grateful for any leads so that the offenders can be identified and make amends for their actions.”

A Herts Police spokesperson said: “Police are investigating an incident of burglary and criminal damage that happened in Kings Langley.

Watford Observer: Equipment let down in gym hallEquipment let down in gym hall

“At around 11.30pm on Friday (14 May) offender(s) gained access to the Rudolf Steiner School site, Langley Hill by damaging a fire door.

“Fire extinguishers were then let off inside.

“Any witnesses or anyone with information about this incident should contact Hertfordshire Constabulary on the non-emergency number 101 quoting 41/35826/21.”

Watford Observer: Matches used to light the fire insideMatches used to light the fire inside

Rudolf Steiner School closed down in March 2019 after the Department for Education (DfE) issued an order of deregistration of the school, after concerns were raised over child safeguarding.

In 2019, it was reported that Langley Hill Independent School will open on the site of the former Steiner school.