Students attempting to turn their academic lives around at The Educational Centre (TEC) alternative school have enough challenges.

But they have had to grapple with a new one ? a person or persons keeps breaking into the school on Roberts Avenue, Devonshire and stealing their equipment.

TEC director Declan Harris said last week the spate of thefts had recently stopped, either because Police had caught the culprit ? or because "there was nothing else to take".

The Educational Centre has been broken into a lot in its two-year life, but the crime level had risen to levels higher than ever before since the beginning of the new term, Mr. Harris said.

"We have had a number of break-ins, it is not something new. The site has traditionally been one prone to vandalism and burglary in the past," Mr. Harris said.

A fridge, stove, washer, microwave and have all been stolen from the school recently.

Even the mixers the students use for cookery were stolen.

"All the kids had their own mixers (for baking), but they are gone now," he said.

The thefts were "deflating" for everyone at the school, students and teachers alike, he added.

"It takes time to replace (the equipment) but because most of the type of kids we service have social or emotional issues, they feel like they are constantly being stepped on again. That is the most difficult thing.

"We can replace things. New locks are put on doors. The dryer was replaced. But what is more unfortunate is the effect it has on the staff and students. They cannot plan ahead because things keep disappearing."

Topic of a local radio show, listeners asked: "What's going on? We are stealing from our own youth," he said, "It hurts."

He said that the types of things the thieves were taking seemed to be getting larger.

"I would think it would have to be someone who knew the layout. Someone who had broken in before, saw the equipment and thought, 'I'll come back up here with a truck and get that tomorrow'," he said.

The last time the school was broken into was last Thursday.

"Someone took exercise mats that were folded up. Someone reported them missing. Now the kids cannot even do aerobics. We had four sets of six," he said.

He said the thief looked to be getting into the school using a crowbar.

Police have arrested a man whose fingerprints were found in the nearby Opportunity Workshop.

"He was convicted of breaking and entering. There have been no break-ins since. But then we also had a new security system installed. Or they think there is nothing else to take," Mr. Harris said.

A letter to the Editor sent to this newspaper by TEC student Tiffany Smith said: "My school has been broken into every day since I started TEC. The Police came up here and still have not caught the culprit. When I come to school every day I feel violated.

"I get frustrated having every day to come to school and sit outside of my classroom, because some desperate person has been breaking into my school.

"They have stolen the TV, DVD, washer, microwave and other useful items. On behalf of the TEC family I have written this letter to ask for the public's support".

Mr. Harris was hopeful that the break-ins would now stop.

"Kids are talking about (the man being arrested). It has made them feel more comfortable. It has had to be the last time."