POLICE are hunting a gang of three men they believe are behind the theft of around £30,000 worth of computers from two Taunton schools.

Detectives are studying CCTV images of the thieves at The Taunton Academy, in Cheddon Road, where 12 Apple Macs were stolen between 8pm last Thursday and 7am the following day.

Academy bosses had taken extra security measures after 20 Apple Macs were taken from Bishop Fox’s Community School at about midday on Wednesday, November 10.

Mark Trusson, principal at the academy, said: “For about two weeks after the Bishop Fox’s thefts, we were taking the computers out of the computer room at the end of each day and taking them back on a daily basis.

“Unfortunately, when we stopped doing it, they were stolen.”

On both sites, the thieves smashed windows and stretched into the rooms to steal the machines, thus avoiding detection by security sensors.

Mr Trusson said: “They were stolen from a room in the middle of the school site and we are looking to step up security in that area.”

A police spokesman said: “We’d like to hear from anyone who may have been in the area at the time who could have information to help our enquiries.

“We also urge people to be vigilant and call us if they are offered cheap computers for Christmas.”

Anyone who can help should call Taunton police on 0845-4567000 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.