Police beat: Schools urged to increase security

Hamilton City tactical coordinator Waikato Police are urging school principals and boards of trustees to do their homework in relation to security as thieves look to education providers for easy pickings.

In a recent incident, Hamilton City tactical coordinator, Senior Sergeant Freda Grace, said a 45-year-old man was arrested by police shortly before midnight when he was found in an administrative building of an East Hamilton school.

"The school gets an A in terms of security precautions as they had installed a monitored security alarm that, when activated, resulted in a security company advising police.

"A police dog handler and other officers arrived and the man was arrested. He later appeared in the Hamilton District Court on burglary charges."

Ms Grace said during recent weeks several schools, play centres and child care providers had been targeted by burglars, with garages and outbuildings often the focus of their attentions.

"While classrooms are traditionally the more common targets of burglars, items taken from sheds and outbuildings can be as equally expensive to replace.

"An example of this was the burglary of a shed at a Hillcrest creche last month where a variety of items were taken.

"Bizarrely, the creche was again broken into but this time the offenders returned some items stolen in the first burglary, perhaps their conscience had gotten to them?"

Ms Grace said with summer holidays rapidly approaching police urge principals and boards of trustees to take preventative steps to protect hard to replace valuables.

"The public also has a part to play.

"It's their children and grandchildren going to schools being targeted.

"We need people to call us if they see suspicious activity around not only schools but other people's homes as well."