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Essex Police > NewsLine |
Essex Police NewsLine
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Security warning as burglars hit schools |
By Peter Laurie
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Police are warning schools to be vigilant following a burglary and an attempted break-in in the Dunmow area.
High-tech computer equipment is making schools targets for burglars, says police crime reduction officer Peter Caulfield.
A laptop computer and a projector were stolen in a burglary which was discovered last Thursday morning (November 17) at the Rodings Central Primary School, Dunmow Road, Leaden Roding. In August, two men suspected of loitering outside the school in preparation for burglary made off in a car when the police were called. One was white and the other black.
During the early hours of November 10, a door and security light were damaged in an attempted burglary at Great Easton Primary School, Snow Hill, Great Easton. The intruder alarm went off and it is believed the raiders fled. In May, a laptop computer and projector were stolen in a burglary at the same school.
Mr Caulfield said: "With more schools investing in high-tech teaching aids there has been an increase in burglaries. While many schools are prepared to invest in educational resources, it is important that they also put money into the security necessary to protect them. This should be regarded as a sound investment, rather than a financial liability. When a school spends thousands of pounds on equipment, a few hundred invested in security would be money well spent."
With schools due to close next month for the Christmas holiday, he issued the following advice:
Review window security and fit additional locks where necessary.
Remove overhead projectors from their housings and take them off the premises for the holiday or ensure they are securely locked away.
If the school has an alarm system, ensure that all valuable equipment is within the protected area.
Form a working group to review security and obtain funding for deterrent equipment, taking advice from the area police crime reduction officer. |
November 21, 2005 |
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