Brokers urged to advise schools ahead of possible rise in crime over the holidays

Specialist insurer Ecclesiastical has urged brokers to speak to their education clients about precautions amidst the possible rise in crime over the summer holidays.

With many schools preparing to close their doors for the summer, the insurer said that these establishments will be an attractive target for criminals in the next few months. Ecclesiastical reported that schools have been targeted over the summer months with crimes like vandalism, arson, break-ins, smashed windows, theft of lead from roofs, and stolen laptops.

Ecclesiastical customer segment director Faith Kitchen said that there are a number of measures that schools can take to help protect their premises from would-be offenders.

“Schools are far more vulnerable during the summer holidays when school buildings are closed and largely unoccupied, tempting opportunists. With high inflation and the cost-of-living crisis, it is more important than ever that schools take steps to protect their premises from offenders,” Kitchen said.

Ecclesiastical’s advice on protecting schools

Here are some measures brokers can provide their education clients to protect themselves over the summer:

• Ensure CCTV systems have 24/7 remote monitoring services
• Install remotely monitored intruder alarms, and change alarm security codes and passwords on a regular basis
• Install security lighting systems
• Restrict access to school premises
• Restrict vehicular access to the school site
• Use security marking systems such as SmartWater which can help with the prosecution of criminals
• Ask the local community to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity
• Inform neighbourhood watch schemes or police liaison officers of planned work over the holidays as thieves might pose as contractors
• Seek advice from specialist insurers

More recently, the insurer also unveiled tips to protect second or holiday homes as Ecclesiastical revealed that 22% of crimes experienced by high-net-worth (HNW) clients during the past year were at these domiciles.

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