Schools Targeted during Lockdown: Thieves Thwarted by Security

Empty schools and places of worship are being targeted by criminals during Lockdown Restrictions and authorities are advised to take precautionary measures to secure premises.
“Our data shows schools, churches, mosques, temples and other NGOs being broken into on a regular basis and often having items removed. More than 30 incidents of trespassing and theft were experienced at schools and places of worship in and around Durban in April alone,” said Blue Security community and media liaison officer, Andreas Mathios. “With little activity onsite it makes the premises attractive to opportunistic criminals.” Two recent incidents this past weekend highlighted this scenario.
On Friday a case of breaking and entering was interrupted at a school in Pinetown in the early hours of the morning and stolen goods were recovered by a Blue Security officer. “The officer had been responding to an alarm activation at the school and was advised by the security guard onsite that an intruder was on the premises,” Mathios said.
“The suspect emerged from the rear of the property whilst the officer and security guard were searching the school grounds,” he said. “The suspect had been trying to escape with a school projector which he then dropped during the chase which ensued,” Mathios said. “The projector was recovered. However the suspect evaded arrest. Further investigation revealed that the intruder had removed a front window in order to gain access to the school’s interior,” he said.
On Sunday an alert onsite security guard contacted Blue Security control centre after seeing four men on the premises of a school on the Berea. “It seems that they gained access to the interior by climbing up a pole and getting through an open window,” Mathios said. “The security guard was fortunate to ward off the suspects who fled empty-handed. They dropped their loot (rolls of toilet paper and hand towels) while making their escape,” he said.
“The legislation preventing learners from attending school and citizens from attending places of worship has meant that some educational facilities and churches are increasingly becoming statistics of crime,” Mathios said. “There is no set pattern or time of day that these acts of trespassing, breaking-and-entering and theft from premises are occurring. It is thus important that security systems are operational, connected to a security provider or upgraded,” he said.
“Having an onsite guarding system, well-lit premises, especially at the back of properties and ensuring all windows, doors and gates are securely locked are all ways of keeping schools or places of worship safe and secure during these difficult times,” Mathios said. “The criminal element is not going to go away and increasing desperation may see acts of looting or opportunistic theft occur. It is imperative that security precautions be taken to avoid becoming a statistic of crime,” he said.