Two boys aged 11 and 12 have been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty and burglary at a west London college.
In a statement, the Met Police stated they had received a report that several animals had been killed and animal closures had been damaged at Capel Manor College.
The boys were arrested after officers visited the scene, viewed CCTV footage and carried out a forensic examination was also carried out.
Both boys have since been bailed.
The Police have asked witnesses with any further information in relation to the case to call 101, quoting the reference CAD1639/25Feb.
Chapel Manor’s statement
A statement from Capel Manor stated the break-in had taken place on the Gunnersbury Park campus.
The college said the break-in resulted in damage to some of the animal facilities and that some animals had died.
Capel Manor Principal Peter Bramwell said: “This has been a terrible episode and my thanks go out to the dedicated team of staff who worked tirelessly over Sunday and Monday to deal with, and restore the devastation left by the intruders.”
Bramwell added that the team will now be looking to bring in new animals to replace those lost.
Teaching was held online on Monday before in-person teaching resumed on Tuesday.
Support is available for both students and staff affected by the incident.
Additional security has been deployed at the campus.
Capel Manor is London’s Environmental College, offering a diversity of courses for young people and adults designed for land-based careers.
As part of their studies, students are given real-life experience in helping to take care of the College’s estates, gardens, farm, zoos and commercial businesses.
Missing barn owl
As a result of the break-in, the college’s much-loved barn owl Shiraz escaped and has been missing since Sunday.
Shiraz is a white barn owl with a blue key on her left ankle and is believed to be somewhere in the Enfield area.
People are being advised that if they see her, then they should not approach her but contact either the College’s 24-hour line on 07713 568 110 or the RSPCA between 7am to 10pm on 0300 1234 999 to report the sighting.
Image credits: Capel Manor College
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