Three teenagers tried to set fire to a senior high school in Peristeri, western Athens, at the end of last year, police said yesterday as they referred the case to a prosecutor.

Two of the school’s pupils, aged 17 and 18, and an 18-year-old technical college student allegedly broke into the school on New Year’s Eve and set alight two teachers’ desks, causing –4,000 worth of damage.

One of the teenagers attempted to set fire to the school’s heating fuel tank, police said. The students also allegedly stole –3,000 in cash which had been collected for a school outing. Police said that the boys’ parents have returned the money to the school.

Meanwhile, authorities in Serres, northern Greece, said that a prosecutor is due to decide whether two boys, aged 15 and 16, should face charges after allegedly burning the Greek flag in their schoolyard last week.