A MAN has been arrested after a string of raids on nine nurseries and primary schools in Southampton.

Police are investigating burglaries targeting six properties between November 22 and December 7, with cash, laptops and other items being taken.

The break-ins happened on three different days within the last month and the 21-year-old man is being questioned by police.

On Tuesday, November 22:

  • An attempt was made to break into Pixies Tree Nursery on Portsmouth Road just after 8pm, but nothing was stolen
  • Mansell Park Primary School in Millbrook was broken into between 9.15pm and 9.45pm and petty cash was stolen
  • Manson Moor Primary School on Helvellyn Road was broken into between 8pm and 11pm but nothing was taken

On Friday, November 25:

  • Paint Pots Nursery on Spring Crescent, Southampton, was broken into at about 6pm and cash was stolen
  • Westwood Park Preschool on Winn Road was broken into and charity collection money was stolen
  • St James Park Road Nursery on Winchester Road was broken into and cash and keys were taken.

St Anne's Catholic School in Carlton Road was broken into on either Monday, November 28 or the following day and eight laptops were stolen.

A small toolkit was taken from Woodberry Nursery on Peartree Avenue after a break-in on either Friday, December 2 or the following day.

And most recently, Sinclair First and Junior School on Sinclair Road was broken into at about 9.30pm on Wednesday, December 7.