FIRES were started and almost 40 windows were smashed, when a college in Bushey was broken into.

Bricks were thrown through windows at the Watford Campus of West Herts College, in Wilson Street, Bushey on Friday, September 7. The offenders entered the buildings through the broken panes.

More bricks were then used to smash office windows inside. The blinds were set alight and a plant pot was smashed before they left.

The fire was extinguished by police officers, who were quickly on the scene.

A police spokesman described the criminal damage as an act of mindless vandalism.

A group of about seven teenagers were seen in the area at the time.