Steenberg Police say they have recorded cases involving break-ins at schools in their policing precinct especially on Wednesday nights between 6pm and 6am. The modus operandi of these break-ins is the forcing open of burglar bars, windows and doors.
School break-ins fall into one of three categories:
- Nuisance break-ins: in which youth break into a school building seemingly as an end in itself. They cause little serious damage and usually take nothing of value.
- Professional break-ins: in which offenders use a high level of skill to enter into the school premises and break into storage rooms containing expensive equipment and remove bulky items from the scene. They commit little incidental damage and may receive a lot of money for the stolen goods.
- Malicious break-ins: entail significant damage to the school’s interior and may include arson. Offenders sometimes destroy rather than steal items of value.
Station Commander Colonel Jan Alexander is appealing to the community to be the eyes and ears of the police, especially during the night and to report suspicious activities at schools after hours. He places emphasis on “See someone, say something”.
Report any suspicious activities at schools to the police Crime Stop number 08600 10111, Steenberg Police on 021 702 9000 or use the My SAPS App to report crime anonymously.