UK COMPUTER THEFT AT SCHOOLS BEING ADDRESSEDic Huddersfield - Move to protect schoolsMove to protect schools Mar 2 2004


By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner


A SPECIAL police team has been set up to combat burglaries at schools in Dewsbury.

Some schools have been targeted four or five times since the turn of the year.

Det Insp Aidan Byrne, head of crime management in Dewsbury, said: "Computer equipment in particular is being stolen by the burglars.

"We are now putting a team of four police officers together to tackle the problem."

They would be using forensic evidence rec- overed from more than half of the schools burgled so far.

He added: "People suspected of being involved in this type of crime will be arrested and their fingerprints and DNA will be compared with the evidence that has been found."

Police would also work with Kirklees Council to try to prevent crime in schools.

Alarms would be fitted and surveillance techniques would be used.

Car boot sales, shops, and other potential outlets for stolen equipment would also be checked regularly.

Det Chief Insp Byrne added: "Our message to the community is to pass information to us about suspected burglars and other criminals and we will act on it."