Hawick school attacked
more action is needed to protect the Borders’ most vandalised school says its local councillor, writes Kenny Paterson.
Stuart Marshall was reacting to news of another attack on Burnfoot Cmmunity School.
Two double-glazed windows were smashed during the incident which is believed to have taken place on Friday evening, with police appealing for information.
It is the latest in a string of attacks on the Kenilworth Avenue school, which had a vandalism bill of £4,382 for 22 incidents during 2010/11.
And Councillor Marshall believes more has to be done by the police to ensure the facility no longer becomes a target.
He told TheSouthern: “It’s really quite sad that the Community School has found itself once more on the radar for vandals.
“What really annoys me is that this school is the pride and joy of the vast majority within Burnfoot and so much good is being done within it.
“I can only appeal to anyone who sees any suspicious goings-on in the school grounds to get in touch with the police or any member of staff.”
He added: “I would certainly like to see the police pay a greater deal of attention to this area during the darker nights.
“I have no doubt that the matter will get raised at next week’s meeting of Burnfoot Community Council as a matter for concern.”
A statement from Scottish Borders Council said: “The school and police are working closely together, and the school has provided the police with the relevant CCTV footage so that they can identify the offenders and deal with them appropriately.
“In terms of prevention, local police officers are working with the school to implement crime prevention measures to deter such mindless attacks.”
A freedom of information request in August revealed SBC’s bill for repairing vandalism incidents at its schools totalled nearly £30,000.
One of the worst cases was in July when 27 wall panels on the new extension at Tweedbank Primary were scratched at a cost of £1,500.
The other targeted schools were Hawick High (£3,935), Peebles High (£1,724), and Philiphaugh Primary (£1,696) in Selkirk.
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Tuesday 21 May 2013
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