Ecclesiastical Warns On Summer Holiday Fire & Vandalism Risks

Brokers are being encouraged by Ecclesiastical to speak to their education clients about taking precautions amid fears of a rise in crime over the summer holidays.

It’s a growing problem and it isn’t just schools and colleges that are being targeted. The MEN reported recently on two teens being charged after a derelict building fire in Blackpool. Empty buildings are often a magnet for junior arsonists. In 2021 a teenager was charged after trying to set fire to a disused pub in Neston on the Wirral.

To understand the causes of the fires in schools it’s worth looking at the psychology of younger people, some of whom are current or ex-pupils. In this case, the BBC reports how a group of younger people were spotted near the school during half term. So cameras, and importantly, some sort of response when gatherings occur, is arguably a good method of prevention. Those patrols cost money of course.

Some arsonists are organised and carefully research their target before setting it ablaze. Much of the evidence in the Aaron Foster case, who was convicted of burning two buildings, highlights how he carefully walked through the school building in Yorkshire first. Foster phoned the emergency services and tried to blame others as the building burned. He accused a witness of holding a grudge against him after setting a library ablaze and escaping via a window. In court he used the ADHD defence too. Defence against such determined arsonists is difficult, since they obviously spend time planning the fire, entry points, ignition methods and escape routes.

Insurers have an archive of fire related claims, some of which may be suspected arson. These can offer good insights for clients such as schools or colleges, pub chains, hotels, warehouses and so on. Understanding the methodology of the arsonists is the first step towards prevention of incidents.

BROKER ADVICE

Faith Kitchen, customer segment director at Ecclesiastical Insurance, said:

“Schools are far more vulnerable during the summer holidays when school buildings are closed and largely unoccupied, tempting opportunists. With high inflation and the cost of living crisis, it is more important than ever that schools take steps to protect their premises from offenders. There are a number of measures schools can take to better secure school property and assets, which would ideally be a combination of both physical and electronic protection.

Fencing around the perimeter can often offer a good first line of defence against unwanted visitors, while CCTV can act as a visual deterrent for those not wanting to be caught on camera. Brokers have an important role to play in helping their education clients identify and manage their risks and we encourage them to engage with schools to help them to take steps to protect themselves from criminals and follow our guidance.”

How to protect schools this summer

• Ensure CCTV systems have remote 24/7 monitoring services. Monitoring and alerting the police is far more effective than tracing criminals after a crime has taken place.
• Install remotely monitored intruder alarms and change alarm security codes and passwords on a regular basis.
• Install security lighting systems that have motion sensors to detect body movements.
• Restrict access to school premises. Well-designed perimeter security such as walls, fences and electric security gates, and anti-climb paint help to prevent people from getting onto school sites.
• Restrict vehicular access to the school site. Locate any designated parking as far from the school building as possible. The further thieves have to travel on foot the greater the risk of detection.
• Use security marking systems such as SmartWater which can help with successful prosecution of thieves.
• Ask the local community near your school to be vigilant and report any unusual or suspicious activity they notice on school grounds.
• Inform neighbourhood watch schemes / police liaison officers of planned work over the holidays as thieves might pose as contractors.
• Seek advice. Specialist insurers can offer advice and expertise to help schools manage security risks. Insurers can offer a combination of onsite and remote risk management services including security assessments and advice, alongside broader property protection and building valuation services

Ecclesiastical Insurance offers a range of risk management support and guidance to help schools manage the risks they face. For more information, visit the Hub for Education.