Holes in fences and a damaged shade sail are just a few of the incidents that have occurred at Berwick Fields Primary School recently.By Callan Date
A BERWICK primary school is under siege after it was burgled for the third time in less than two weeks recently.
The raids on Berwick Fields Primary School have left local police and school staff frustrated at the difficulty in catching the culprits. Computers, alcohol, flat screen monitors and garden power tools are just a few of the items stolen from the Gwendoline Drive campus.
Police believe the same thieves are responsible for all three burglaries and have urged local residents to be vigilant in keeping an eye on all schools during the holiday period.
Narre Warren Senior Detective Paul Stow said the incidents at Berwick Fields were just a few of the many burglaries occurring on schools and community buildings throughout the City of Casey over the past month.
“At the moment we are being inundated with reports of burglaries on schools, community centres and sporting clubs,” Sen Det Stow said.
“They are seen as an easy target as they are a bit isolated and generally a fair distance away from homes.”
Thieves entered the school on the 17, 19 and 30 December.
A police patrol van was only one minute away from the school when the alarm went off during the last break-in.
“When the alarm went off the police were just around the corner and as soon as they pulled up they heard the wheels on a car spin,” Sen Det Stow said.
The blue/green EA Ford sedan took off at high speed. The police van lost the car in the side streets soon after.
Det Stow said the Criminal Investigation Unit was also following up several other reports of alcohol being stolen from community buildings.
“We believe because of the school holidays, premises like this are vacated and they are seen as easy to get into without being caught.”
Berwick Fields Primary School principal Stephen Wigney also urged the local community to help protect the school.
“It would be great if people passing by could phone the police if they see anyone acting suspiciously and for the police to drive past on a regular basis, especially at night,” Mr Wigney said.
He said the school had also been vandalised on several occasions.
“We have also had nine external wall heater protectors pulled off the school walls as well as holes put in our brand new shade sails and fencing wire cut.”
Anyone with information about the crimes is asked to contact Narre Warren Police on 9705 3111 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
