Laptops stolen from local school (+ video)

A "great learning tool" has been stolen from Mokoia Intermediate, leaving local police looking to the community for help.

Police said 27 laptops owned by the school were stolen when it was closed one night last week.

Rotorua police area prevention manager Inspector Stuart Nightingale said 22 Dell model Latitude 3440 laptops and five Lenovo model B50-70 laptops were taken.

Mokoia Intermediate principal Deborah Epp said it was an interruption for the children.

"It's a real shame for the children to have this great learning tool taken away. It's a great expense for a school.

"We would really like anybody who has them or has been offered them to please return them."

Mrs Epp said if anyone had been offered a cheap laptop and "it sounds too good to be true it probably is".

"I would ask them to have a change of heart and give them back because it's children they're harming.

"We feel extremely sad because our community is always supportive. I just feel disappointed for the kids," she said.

Mr Nightingale said it was a huge upset for the pupils as well as teachers.

"We are very keen for any information that would lead directly to any of these laptops.

"We are a community and we would like the community to get behind the school and support them with the return of the stolen property."

Mr Nightingale said any information would be treated in confidence. Anyone with information should call Rotorua police on (07) 349 9400 or Crimestoppers on (0800) 555 111.