A CHARITY box was found empty in a school following a break-in.

Police were called to Islamiyah Girls High School in Willow Street, Blackburn, at around 2.45am on Saturday.

CCTV captured the moment a man entered the school and walked through the corridors.

Mehdi Bux, estate manager for the school, which caters for around 260 pupils aged between 11 and 16, said damage had been caused to the door frame, and a charity box, containing around £22, had been emptied.

Mr Bux said it was disappointing to see someone target a school.

He said: “I was called out in the middle of the night to the incident and it was really sad to think someone has tried to steal something from the school.

“Everything in the school is there to benefit the children and the thefts impact on the children’s education.

“The CCTV camera got a good look at him so hopefully someone knows him.

“He broke through the door and then triggered the alarm and the CCTV camera spotted him.

“Taking the money out of the charity box is very low. The money is totted up at the end of the year and then there’s a draw to pick a well-deserving charity.

“Luckily the children were not in the next day on the Sunday so they didn’t see any of the damage and get worried or concerned.

“The doors will be repaired. We have a lot of security on site by the way of trip alarms, cameras and locks.

“I hope the person who did this can live with a guilty conscience because most of society would not be able to do so.

People have been asked to send any information they have about the thief to the police.

PC Scott Blackshaw said the police need the help of the public to help with their investigation.

He said: “It is very important we can identify the man captured on CCTV as quickly as possible.

“Anyone who reads the paper and recognises the man should get in touch with the police straight away.”

Anyone with information should contact 101 ED1722103 or email PC Blackshaw on 5354@lancashire.pnn.police.uk or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.