Vandals ransacked 22 classrooms in a north Belfast school, police said last night.
Computer equipment, furniture and doors were damaged and a CCTV camera and alarm destroyed at the Mount Gilbert Community College in Ballygomartin Road.
Three men in their late teens or early 20s were responsible for the break-in, said a police spokesman. They also smashed open a drinks vending machine and stole the cash inside.
It was not immediately clear whether the damage was too extensive for the school to be able to reopen for the new term on time next week.
The Department of Education condemned the attack as "totally unacceptable".
A spokesman said: "Such wanton destruction causes distress and dismay to children, parents and teachers alike. It is everyone's responsibility in our society to condemn incidents such as these." -(PA)