Criminals hit school labs

High school science laboratories are being targeted by criminals hunting for raw chemicals to make pure methamphetamine.

Police in Lower Hutt have reported at least seven break-ins at high schools in the past six months where chemicals and glassware were taken. Two break-ins took place in the past week.

Staff at the private girls' school Chilton St James, in Lower Hutt, arrived yesterday to find a dangerous goods area and a chemistry laboratory had been raided.

Emergency services were called about 7.30am when a strong chemical smell was detected.

A container of acid had been dropped and smashed as the burglars fled.

Acting Senior Sergeant Brent Murray said a "vast array" of chemicals and glassware commonly used to manufacture P was taken in the raid.

"Schools now seem to be being targeted and it has increased in recent times."

The spilt acid could have posed an extreme danger to the burglars, or to staff and pupils, Mr Murray said.

Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Berry, of Wellington's organised crime unit, warned schools to be vigilant.

- NZPA