Leicester Primary School Forced to Close Due to Vandalism

Posted 5th January 2017 by Helen LeachBraunstone Community Primary School in Leicester has been forced to close for a whole week as a result of vandalism.

On Monday 3rd January, intruders broke into the school, smashing around 45 windows and doors, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Classrooms inside the school were trashed as well as equipment in the playground.

Staff were due to be at the school on Tuesday for a training day but have had to begin a clean-up operation instead.

460 pupils were due to start at the school on Wednesday, their first day back after the Christmas break.

However, due to the damage caused, the schools has been shut for the rest of the week due to health and safety precautions.

Headteacher Jatinder Mahil has said: “It’s a real shame this had to happen. We had a fantastic term last year and were really excited about coming back to school in the new year. To find ourselves having to clear up a huge mess is hugely disappointing.”

Due to the time of year, the school has found it difficult to get a hold of glaziers to repair all of the broken windows.

The vandalism which Mahil described as ‘pointless’, will no doubt have left many parents stranded for childcare.

*Sources Leicester Mercury

–

Unfortunately, this school is just one of many which have been a victim of vandalism.

In the past two years, there have been an alarming number of reports from schools all across the UK being met with thousands of pounds worth of damage as a result of vandalism.

The BBC revealed in 2015 that over £1million was spent repairing vandalism in Scottish schools alone.

–

In 2014, we helped Briscoe Lane Academy in Newton Heath secure their school after they suffered persistent vandalism for 12 years – with windows being continuously broken.

Recognising the need for an effective and long-term security solution – whilst also wanting the school to look aesthetically pleasing for students, teachers and the community – Briscoe Lane found their solution in Crimeshield.

Briscoe Lane was more than pleased with the outcome, with Academy Trust Business Manager Debbie Ollerenshaw stating: “Our academy is in an area of high deprivation and has suffered from extensive vandalism in the past. We wanted a product that was as aesthetically pleasing as possible within budgetary constraints. We are very impressed with the end result, it is very subtle”.

With vandalism in schools appearing more and more in the news as of lately, now’s the time for local authorities and educational institutions to consider investing in security measures to reduce or eliminate vandalism and cost in the long term.

If would like to find out more about protecting your school against vandalism and improving your security, speak to our team of window security specialists on 0161 413 0766 or send us an email.