Schools chief's plea on holiday break-ins

Families were today being urged to be vigilant during holidays to stop Sandwell schools becoming targeted by thieves and arsonists. The warning followed a break-in at Tipton.

Schools chiefs have issued the warning following a break-in at Jubilee Park Primary School. The site manager discovered the raid – the third at the Highfield Road school since September – yesterday morning, after intruders broke through a window and stole a computer monitor. Councillor Ian Jones has now urged residents living near Sandwell schools to keep an eye out.

They could help by reporting suspicious activity around sites which may be left vacant during school holidays, he said.

"Schools play a full part in the community and we would ask that those residents living around schools report any intruders, especially during the holidays when the schools are not usually fully open."

"It is a substantial cost to schools and those costs have to be born by the schools or the Local Education Authority and ultimately the council and council tax payers, so we would ask people to be vigilant."

Councillor Jones, Sand-well Council's cabinet member for children and young people, added: "Our schools are at the heart of the community and it is terrible when schools are broken into or fall victim to arson attacks."

Councillor Derek Rowley chairman of the governors at Jubilee Park School, said it was likely to cost £150 to replace the flat screen monitor, and repairing the window and security bars could cost up to £500.

"There are roller shutters on most of the windows but one has a protective grille on it and they have levered that off.

"No matter what we do, they still get in. It is the third time since September."

The break-in took place at around 9pm on Sunday and was captured on CCTV.