Thieves have targeted a primary school in an overnight raid.

Police were called to Upshire Primary School in Upshire Road, Waltham Abbey, at 3.45am yesterday following reports of a break in.

A total of 16 laptops, worth £300 each, were stolen.

CCTV shows five men with hooded tops and scarves over their faces taking the equipment and leaving within around 15 minutes.

The school is open today, but IT facilities are closed as police carry out forensic tests.

Sadie Messer, administration officer at the school, said: “We’re all just shocked and disgusted at people taking from a primary school.

“It makes parents and staff annoyed and angry because money is hard to come by and we have to budget every penny.”

The school is planning a quiz night in April to raise funds to replace the stolen equipment.

Police have not yet revealed if any arrests have been made.

The thefts follow a similar break in at Epping St John’s in Bury Lane, Epping, on December 2.