Published Thursday, 11 December, 2008 at 05:58 PM
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
Call to protect our schools during the summer holidays
Education and Training Minister Rod Welford is urging community members to keep a close watch on schools over the six week Christmas break to help protect them from would-be thieves, vandals and arsonists.
“Community vigilance has been crucial in reducing the number of insurance claims for break and enters and vandalism at state schools in the past 12 months by 24 per cent," Mr Welford said.
“The School Watch Hotline receives, on average, 61 calls a month from diligent community members, who report suspicious activities in school grounds.
“Recently a neighbour rang the hotline and reported hearing the sound of smashing glass and voices coming from the school grounds. Police were advised and detained two people onsite before further damage could be done.
“In another case, quick action by a passing member of the public, who contacted the School Watch Hotline, saved a school from potential fire damage.
“The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service responded and extinguished a fire near the school’s tennis courts, preventing it from spreading to school buildings.
“I commend these people for reporting these incidents and I would encourage others to also call the School Watch Hotline on 13 17 88 or police if they notice anything suspicious.”
Mr Welford said the crackdown on school security would continue as schools closed at the end of this week.
“We have a range of measures in place, including intruder detection devices, alarms and 24-hour monitoring and surveillance by police, the State Government Security Service and private security firms,” he said.
“School security patrols will be a regular sight in many areas throughout the state during the coming school holidays.
“In 2008-09 the State Government allocated more than $3 million to the School Security Program to help reduce security-related incidents in schools.
“State schools belong to all Queenslanders and on behalf of the community is our responsibility to do our very best to protect these valuable facilities.”
State schools will be closed from Friday 12 December 2008 to Tuesday 27 January 2009.
Media contact: Jo Crompton or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000
“Community vigilance has been crucial in reducing the number of insurance claims for break and enters and vandalism at state schools in the past 12 months by 24 per cent," Mr Welford said.
“The School Watch Hotline receives, on average, 61 calls a month from diligent community members, who report suspicious activities in school grounds.
“Recently a neighbour rang the hotline and reported hearing the sound of smashing glass and voices coming from the school grounds. Police were advised and detained two people onsite before further damage could be done.
“In another case, quick action by a passing member of the public, who contacted the School Watch Hotline, saved a school from potential fire damage.
“The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service responded and extinguished a fire near the school’s tennis courts, preventing it from spreading to school buildings.
“I commend these people for reporting these incidents and I would encourage others to also call the School Watch Hotline on 13 17 88 or police if they notice anything suspicious.”
Mr Welford said the crackdown on school security would continue as schools closed at the end of this week.
“We have a range of measures in place, including intruder detection devices, alarms and 24-hour monitoring and surveillance by police, the State Government Security Service and private security firms,” he said.
“School security patrols will be a regular sight in many areas throughout the state during the coming school holidays.
“In 2008-09 the State Government allocated more than $3 million to the School Security Program to help reduce security-related incidents in schools.
“State schools belong to all Queenslanders and on behalf of the community is our responsibility to do our very best to protect these valuable facilities.”
State schools will be closed from Friday 12 December 2008 to Tuesday 27 January 2009.
Media contact: Jo Crompton or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000