A SCHOOL in Gosfield has been left devastated after thieves broke in over the weekend, stealing much of the kitchen's food and equipment.

Gosfield School on Halstead Road was raided in the late hours of Friday night and early Saturday morning.

CCTV cameras in the school revealed burglars broke in to the school's kitchen, with the school's food being the target.

Items stolen from the kitchens include four commercial sized freezers full of food, all of the dry foods and all the chilled food taken from the school's catering refrigerators.

In a statement, a school spokesman said: "Of course this means that we are unable to feed the children of Critical Workers who are attending School today, and the staff who have kindly volunteered to come in and run the skeleton operation to make this work, and we won't be able to feed the children and staff for the foreseeable future.

"Members of staff have been into Halstead to purchase food early this morning but with restrictions on what they are allowed to purchase this is not straightforward.

"Therefore we would respectfully request that all children of key workers who are attending School bring along a packed lunch, nut free snacks and a water bottle."

The school have since reported the crime to Essex Police and it is understood a forensics team will be dispatched to collect evidence.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "We received a report today (Monday 23 March) reporting a burglary at Gosfield School in Halstead Road, Gosfield.

"It was reported that between 21 March and 22 March food and commercial freezers were removed.

"If you saw anything, have any CCTV or dash cam footage, or have any other information please call us on 101 quoting the crime reference number 42/44904/20 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."