AUSTRALIA SCHOOLS COMPUTERS STOLENTownsville Bulletin: Vandals ransack schools [ 28apr04 ]NINE primary schools across the Townsville region were broken into and vandalised over the Anzac long weekend.

Townsville police reported that primary schools at Kelso, Rasmussen, Annandale, Oonoonba, Aitkenvale, Vincent, Heatley and Willows, along with the Home Hill High School, were the target of thieves and vandals between last Friday and yesterday morning.
Townsville Sergeant Dave Finlay said the offences included break and enter, damage to school property and theft, with Heatley Primary targeted twice over the weekend.

"The majority of the schools didn't have anything stolen, but suffered considerable damage," Sgt Finlay said.

"Only one school, Heatley Primary, had computer equipment stolen, with substantial damage to the library and vandalism also caused to the canteen during the second break-in.

"The rest of the schools suffered damage to wall panels, windows and roller doors.

"It is hard to tell at this stage if the offences are related, because the schools are located so far apart, but forensics have attended all the schools targeted and police are still investigating."

Oonoonba State School, which has only been open since 2002, was one of the schools broken into, with thieves removing louvres from the window of a practical learning area around 4am Sunday, before security alarms scared them off.

Principal Anne-Marie Day said it was disappointing her school and so many others had been the target of theft and vandalism, but that they could be thankful further damage was not done.

"This is the first break-in at our new school since we opened," Ms Day said.

"We are thankful nothing was taken or disturbed, but it is still upsetting and other schools in our area have not been so lucky - the daycare centre across the road was broken into two weeks ago and had a lot of computer equipment stolen."

Education Queensland yesterday urged communities in the Townsville area to keep a close watch on their schools, with executive director of schools for Townsville, Vicki Baylis, urging residents to play a vital role in keeping them safe from acts of vandalism and other malicious damage.

"Schools are important community assets that deserve to be protected from such shameful acts of destruction," Ms Baylis said.

"Anyone who witnesses suspicious behaviour around their local school should contact police immediately."

Local schools are part of the School Watch program and residents can contact the 131 788 School Watch hotline number if they see any suspicious behaviour, or call Townsville police on 4759 9777 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000