Thefts drain school

By Sarah Schwager
SCHOOL break-ins are taking away funds that could be spent on the children, says a Cranbourne primary school assistant principal.
Thieves stole two flat screen computers from Courtenay Gardens Primary School after breaking into a portable classroom on Saturday.
Police said the offenders used a club lock to smash a window of the portable before taking the IBM computers, valued at $3000.
Courtenay Gardens Primary School assistant principal Nicole Bottriel said there had been a number of attempted break-ins at the school recently.
“The tragic part of all this is that there are limited funds as it is,” Ms Bottriel said.
“Those funds are continually wasted on replacing windows and computers instead of on new and exciting things for the kids.”
Ms Bottriel said the level of vandalism had also increased in the area in the past six months.
“We are appealing to the community to be on the watch,” she said.
“Please be vigilant. If you see people acting suspiciously around the school, contact the police.”
Ms Bottriel said Crime Stoppers notices were pinned up around the school, and the school had also invested in a good security system, with alarms and security cameras.
The latest burglary occurred some time between 7.30pm on Friday, 2 June and 12.30pm on Saturday, 3 June.
Police said a yellow club lock was found inside the portable.
Police said people driving past the school saw kids hanging around the school early on Saturday morning.
Anyone with information should contact Senior Constable Derrick Verity at Cranbourne CIU on 5995 4577.