Holiday security to keep schools safe

State school security will be stepped up during the September holidays to deter would-be thieves, vandals and arsonists.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said today at the start of the two-week break that the protection of state schools was a priority for the Government and the community.

“I’m calling on anyone who notices suspicious activity around their local schools to immediately contact police or call the School Watch hotline on 13 17 88,” Mr Welford said.

“We will again be implementing measures to safeguard our schools over the holidays, including support from police, the State Government Security Service, private security firms and the School Watch program.

“In 2008-09 our Government allocated $3.037 million to the School Security Program to help reduce security-related incidents in schools.

“I believe these measures are effective as we have recorded a 24 per cent reduction in the number of insurance claims for break and enters and vandalism at state schools in the past 12 months.

“We need to spend money on school resources for students, not on the clean-up of damage caused by vandalism, break-ins and arson.”

Mr Welford said school security patrols were a regular sight in many areas during school holidays.

“These efforts along with intruder detection devices, alarms and 24-hour monitoring are having a positive impact on security and the protection of school property,” he said.

“State schools belong to all Queenslanders and it is our responsibility to do our very best to protect schools on behalf of the community.

“But it is important that we get the balance right – we don’t want to turn our schools into fortresses because of a few foolish people who want to ruin it for the majority.”

Mr Welford also wished students and school staff a safe and happy holiday.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 0419 734 985