A COMMUNITY is horrified after beloved pet chickens were killed after vandals broke into a special needs school twice.

The birds were cared for by children and staff members at the Cedar Hall School, in Hart Road, Thundersley, but at least two were killed, possibly by a fox or dog, after a break-in on Saturday which enabled them to escape.

Kelly Townley, the treasurer of the Parent and Staff Friend Association at the school, said: “We are all devastated. It’s just so mindless, this is a school for disabled and vulnerable children and someone has done this.

“Our lovely chickens were killed after escaping and left lying in the field. We are like a family here so this is like someone breaking into your own home. The children are all going to be so upset, it’s heartbreaking.”

Another break-in happened just days before the birds were killed, between 3.30pm on August 17 and 9am on August 18, during which suspects damaged play equipment, trees and a shed.

A fundraiser, started by Thundersley resident David Sargant, has already raised nearly £2,500 towards repairing the damage caused during the break-ins.

Mr Sargant, who also recorded an online video to appeal for information, said: “You see something like this happen right under your nose and it’s devastating.

“This was never about money, it was about trying to get information, but I just feel very thankful and over-whelmed by the community response.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Police are investigating two burglaries at Cedar Hall School in Hart Road, Benfleet.

“A piece of play equipment, a 10ft long wooden pole, was damaged and a shed broken into sometime between 3.30pm on August 17 and 9am on August 18.

“On August 21, a chicken coop door was found to have been smashed. Twelve chickens were missing and two were found dead. It is not known how the birds killed.

“Enquiries are ongoing.”

Donate at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/cedar-hall-school-essex. Anyone with information should call Essex Police on 101.