A Darlington school that was targeted by vandals and thieves 38 times last year is to get a security guard to patrol its grounds.

There was another attempted break-in at Alderman Leach Primary School, in Cockerton, over the weekend.

Nothing was stolen but the vandals damaged a window.

It follows a spate of criminal damage incidents at other schools in the town.

Nearby Mount Pleasant Primary School was broken into twice over the weekend, and three projectors were stolen. A laptop was also stolen, but has since been recovered.

Vandals also targeted Hurworth School of Maths and Computing this weekend. They smashed the minibus windscreen, two windows in the science block and a glass panel in the front door with the school logo on.

There were 157 incidents of criminal damage at Darlington schools last year, and 60 burglaries.

This had increased from 142 criminal damage incidents and 39 burglaries in 2003.

Catherine Thompson, headteacher of Alderman Leach, said: "Last year we had 38 break-ins or criminal damage incidents, that is about three a month.

"I think it is because of the layout of the school, we have a lot of windows. It is a very open school and it also has flat roofs.

"We have had lots of things stolen, including a speaker system, computers, data projectors, pens and pencils."

Darlington Borough Council is to provide a security guard until the school moved to its new building on the West Park estate.

Mrs Thompson said she believed the school, due to open on February 24, would be more secure. It has security fences.

Chris McEwan, council cabinet member for children's services, said: "Vandalism to schools is a constant problem as is mindless criminal damage, which disrupts children's education and damages valuable community resources. It is the council taxpayer who is left to foot the bill."

George Oliver, spokesman for Durham Police, said: "Schools are vulnerable, particularly at this time of year, because they are often isolated, often empty and surrounded by yards or playing fields.

"We do operate school watch schemes where we ask local people who live around schools to keep an eye out for problems and report them to the police."

Call Durham Police on 0845 60 60 365.