Police are keen to trace a suspicious vehicle after two Sittingbourne schools were damaged in overnight attacks.

A gaping hole was left in Westland School’s deputy head teacher’s office after a 4x4 was used to pull a radiator through the wall.

The raiders left empty handed.

The one metre by one metre gap was discovered at the rear of the building by assistant head teacher Peter Southall, who arrived at the school at 5.30am last Thursday and went to investigate after finding his office flooded.

The vehicle gained access by driving across a field at the back of the school. A metal fence panel and benches were also knocked down.

It’s understood there was some damage caused to the brickwork and some strapping pushed through and wrapped around the radiator before being tied to the car which was then driven forward to rip it out of the room.

The school, in Westlands Avenue, remained open as normal.

Head teacher Simon Cox said: “They got into the office but didn’t get through to the central part of the school as there was a locked door.

“There’s no damage beyond the office. Nothing was taken and nothing was compromised in terms of confidentiality.

“Perhaps they thought there was something in there but we can’t work out what it was.

“Or perhaps they were scared of setting alarms off if they went further, we just don’t know.

“Because the radiator was pulled through there’s been a large flood and about three or four offices have been affected.

“The one they got into has been totally ruined. It’s a few thousand pounds worth of damage.”

Meanwhile, a wall at Hartlip Primary School, in School Lane, was damaged after being targeted in “a similar way” to the building at Westlands.

Police were called at 6.40am the same day. Full details are still to be revealed.

The school had to close but reopened the next day.

DS Darryll Paulson said officers were reviewing CCTV footage.

“We are particularly keen to speak to anyone who might have seen a grey Daihatsu Fourtrak 4x4, in the area the night the schools were targeted,” he said.

“This vehicle was stolen from the Canterbury area on Monday, November 3.”

Anyone with information is asked to call DS Darryll Paulson on 01634 792350, quoting reference 06-176 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.