Dear Peter,
Have just noticed your Post. Very sorry to hear, but glad to hear things are rapidly being put right
The problem of feral uncontrolled children is a growing one unfortunately (UK anyway), and as this grows, the problem of unruly,uncaring, unprincipled teenagers unfortunately grows with it as a result
Schools find it increasingly difficulty to maintain control (I refrain from using the word discipline as this went into the PC bin years ago!), since there is little they can do to enforce it, and there are not that many who are capable of doing it in the way it should be done anyway - as sign of the times maybe? Whatever anyone says, once children go to Upper schools these days, and see the antics and behaviour of a 'significant number', and how little the authorities do and can do about it, the problem accelerates. Furthermore, the so called procedures available to the Courts to deal with such matters is in the main pitifully inadequate, and not helped by Magistrates and Judiciary who like to be seen to be being PC - for personal gain whatever. The end result is that completely the wrong signal is sent out to those who should be receiving the full brunt of the meaning, however as a result, the Courts get laughed at... and so the wheel turns! Is it a bit like this in Aust. these days?
It is likely your Group might turn out to be aware of the culprits. They will not be too far away. Obviously they 'went prepared' and were very deliberate in their purpose, so it wasn't just a chance in-passing 'whim' matter. Anyway, what's done is done, and I hope that the perpetrators will be caught, but, it would be wise to have a very solid steel construction built over the locking area to prevent bolt cutters being used again - the only way of getting in then would be oxy acetylene, and the chance of this happening would be remote!
One other suggestion. They will definitely without any doubt return, CCTV would be a rather good idea. If you cannot connect them from the previous offence, you can at least be aware of what might happen again and try them for it. I have a zero tolerance of such things, and have no truck whatsoever for the do-gooding attitudes of those who support the law breaking of others - they, now, similarly as the perpetrators of the original crime, must accept the same responsibility as the offenders (seeing as they defend same), therefore, I see them in the same light as the original offenders. Harsh words I know, but that's the world we live in now... the offenders determine such.
So that the Moderators are aware, this will not go beyond this statement as I will not state any further!
Regards, Bernard