School cameras installed to fight theft and vandalism

The board of trustees at Firth Primary School has made a considerable investment to protect its greatest assets.

Recordable surveillance cameras went live last Monday which will enable the school’s grounds to be monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Security lights have also been installed. Principal James Eldridge said there had been two incidents which prompted the decision to have the surveillance cameras installed.

Earlier in the year, the physical education shed was broken into and a significant amount of equipment was taken.

Thanks to the help of some friendly neighbours who reacted instantly to suspicious activity, the offenders were caught by police and the majority of the gear was recovered.

But it was the theft of firewood that hurt staff, parents and children the most.

The Firth Parents Group was to organise a fundraiser to raffle off the firewood next year.

The firewood from trees cut down on the school grounds had been stacked in the school’s enviro- area when thieves cut through the fence and made off with the wood on foot.

The surveillance cameras will store up to two months of footage.

‘‘ We got tired of the vandalism,’’ Mr Eldridge said. This is an investment which will pay for itself.’’