AN INVESTIGATION has been launched into why dozens of schoolchildren's passports were kept at a teacher's home and stolen.

Chipping Sodbury Secondary School is to review its procedures after 41 passports belonging to pupils set to go on a German exchange visit were taken during a break-in at the teacher's home in St George.

The planned three-day language trip by Year 8 pupils to Aachen had to be cancelled following the theft last Tuesday.

The travel documents were taken along with £1,200 worth of Euros and £300 in sterling.

The school has since been criticised by concerned parents for not keeping the children's travel documents in a secure place.

Michelle Willis, who has a daughter in Year 7, said: "I think many parents are upset at why the school wasn't more responsible at a time when identity theft is not a rare thing.

"The school should have kept the passports in a more secure place just like everyone else does in their homes."

Another parent, who did not wish to be named, added: "What is disturbing is the fact that the children were asked to bring their passports into the school two weeks ago.

"At the time they were just put into a cardboard box, which caused me some surprise at the time.

"They were all so disappointed because they have been looking forward to this trip for such a long time.

"My child was in tears and so were most of the other children."

Headteacher Philip Lidstone said: "This is a very unfortunate incident and the school is cooperating fully with the police investigation.

"We obviously share students' disappointment that their trip has not been able to go ahead as a result of this theft.

"We urge the person responsible for the theft to return the stolen items."

A South Gloucestershire Council spokesman said: "We have been in contact with the school and are satisfied that they will carry out a full investigation."

Police say it is possible the thief may have dumped the passports and anyone who finds them should call them on 0845 456 7000.