Parents at Brooks High School in Rocherlea have expressed their frustration and disappointment at the number of break-ins at the school over the past 12 months.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The school has been targeted 23 times, despite CCTV and security alarms across the grounds.
Brooks High School Association chairperson Tanya Cavanagh said while the school’s hands were tied, the association had had enough of the damage done by the break-ins and the distress it caused its 700-odd students.
She said the school’s cafe area is a particular focus for break-ins despite having no cash held on the premises, meaning the area has been frequently closed down for police investigations.
“That’s a really serious area, that’s where our breakfast clubs are for kids that don’t get a meal,” she said.
“You can just see the kids are upset, and hear them, very disappointed.”
Tasmania Police Inspector Darren Hopkins said Police had attended Brooks High 16 times for break-ins and seven times for alarms since September last year.
He said eight of the break-ins targeted the school cafe, and three people were charged over three of the incidents.
Many of the offenders were captured on CCTV but could not be identified.
“Thieves will always look for the quickest, quietest and easiest option, so we will continue to work with the school to help improve security and target harden the buildings,” Inspector Hopkins said.
Mrs Cavanagh said the school’s security was excellent and there was little else the school could do to take action.
The break-ins have targeted mountain bikes, televisions, cafe stock and food, and left significant damage for the school to repair.
While insurance covers some of the repair costs, the remaining financial gap leaves the school unable to run all the programs it wants to.
The association is appealing to the community to help keep an eye on the school and its grounds during the holidays and to report any suspicious behaviour to the police.
“I don’t think there is anyone else [to ask] but community,” Mrs Cavanagh said.
“When you consider some of the challenging environments that these kids are from, it’s not an ideal situation.
“To have this continually happening … just having conversations with the kids, they’re not happy.”
An Education Department spokesperson said the school was cooperating fully with the police and had provided CCTV to the investigation.
“Brooks High School have regular security checks out of hours and are fitted with security alarms and cameras in an attempt to discourage vandalism and theft at the school,” they said.
