Chemicals have been stolen from Canterbury University's chemistry department. Some can be used to make illegal drugs, police say.

Burglars stole chemicals which could be used to make heroin and speed from Canterbury University at the weekend.

There was no sign of forced entry to the university chemistry department, where "litres" of chemicals found in illicit drugs have gone missing.

Burglars struck Canterbury University's chemistry department likely overnight on Sunday, taking chemicals stored in glass containers.

Detective Sergeant Richard Quested said the university reported the missing chemicals to police on Wednesday after conducting an "internal inquiry".

The missing chemicals included acetic anhydride, which is used to make heroin, and pyridine, which is used to make amphetamines.

Police were on site again on Friday questioning staff, Quested said.

He was not aware of such a burglary at the university "in recent times".

A statement circulated by the university to media said: "UC takes security seriously, and regrets this incident has occurred. It is assisting the police with their inquiries."

The university had taken "immediate action" to secure "certain chemicals and compounds", the statement said.

"It has also taken a range of additional security measures which it is unable to disclose."

When asked whether students were suspected, Canterbury University's manager of communications and stakeholder relations Phil Barclay said: "We don't want any comments that we make publicly to impact on the police investigation."