Concern is mounting that rural schools throughout the county could find themselves easy prey for crime attacks after specialist property insurers Ecclesiastical reported a sharp rise in theft, arson and vandalism.

The insurers have reported an uptick in crime over the summer months with schools reporting break-ins, the theft of lead from roofs, stolen laptops as well as vandalism and arson.

They also fear that with the current economic backdrop and the soaring costs of living, the 2022 summer holiday will see a significant spike.

“Schools are far more vulnerable during the summer holidays when buildings are closed and largely unoccupied,” said Faith kitchen of Ecclesiastical Insurance.

“And this is proving very tempting for opportunists. It’s vital that schools take every step possible to protect their premises from unscrupulous offenders.”

Ways in which school buildings can be protected include ensuring there is suitable fencing around the perimeter and installing CCTV cameras with remote 24/7 monitoring services.

“We also urge people who live near school to be vigilant during the summer and report any unusual or suspicious activity in or around the school grounds,” she added.

Ecclesiastical is encouraging residents who live near local schools to be vigilant this summer and report any unusual or suspicious activity they may notice on the school grounds.

Other safety measures include installing remotely monitored intruder alarms with the codes and passwords changed on a regular basis, security lighting, restricted vehicular access to the school, and adopting a security marking system such as SmartWater which can ultimately help to prosecute thieves.