Holidays used to spell trouble for Swindon's schools as they became the target of vandals. But a squad of security officers is working to change that. VICTORIA TAGG reports.

A SQUAD of specialist security officers today pledged to defend Swindon's schools from attacks by vandals during the summer holidays.

School Watch, a 50-strong team of security officers policing 27 Swindon schools 24-hours-a-day, has become the education system's fourth emergency service.

And as the summer holidays begin, Pauline McVitie, the School Watch co-ordinator, has pledged to block any attempts to inflict damage on buildings unoccupied during the summer break.

She said: "This is our busiest time of the year because schools are empty and at their most vulnerable. It is our job to protect them 100 per cent."

The School Watch initiative, run by Swindon Services, was piloted last July with tremendous results. All local schools benefited from the spot security checks, although now they must pay for the service, after it was officially launched in April.

Weeks ago, there was an unpleasant reminder of the threat of vandalism when arsonists started a fire at the former Gilberts Hill School in Old Town.

Smoke was seen pouring from the boarded up first floor windows at the derelict Dixon Street building and witnesses saw a group of between 10 and 15 children running down a fire escape from the first floor shortly before the fire began. Police confirmed they believed the youngsters were responsible.

Brimble Hill Special School in Park North has to be especially wary of vandalism because it teaches children with learning difficulties.

Head teacher, Bob Walker, said: "The security team are like the AA for schools. We have to be extra vigilant in keeping our site clear of potential hazards such as broken glass, because pupils can put it in their mouths, oblivious to the danger."

Mr Walker paid tribute to a patrol member who made the building secure after a door was forced late at night last autumn.

"They take real pride in monit-oring our site and do a fantastic job," he added.

CCTV cameras were installed at the school in Spring and an 8-ft steel fence around the perimeter has just been completed.

Mr Walker said: "We are stepping up security to save on maintenance costs but, more importantly, make our school as safe as possible. We plan to fit more security cameras and keypad locks by Christmas."

In a bid to stop their minibuses being targeted by vandals during the summer holidays, the school loans them out to local community groups.

"Dashboards have been smashed, windows broken and fire exting-uishers damaged in acts of mindless vandalism," he added.

Brook Field Primary School in Shaw has just enlisted School Watch's help having experienced a recent spate of vandalism, involving benches being broken and used as skateboards.

Head teacher Roger Nicholas said: "School Watch sounds like the perfect solution.

"Their presence will hopefully prevent vandalism becoming a serious problem and ensure that we have a peaceful summer."

Schools are checked at random intervals up to 14 times a week, depending on their level of security priority.

The service also includes a 24-hour call out 365 days-a-year, promising attendance within 20 minutes.

Mark Stratford, security manager for School Watch, said: "We work around the clock to catch vandals out. Our vans alone act as a deterrent."

More than just surveillance, officers physically walk the sites, checking windows, fencing, doors and lighting for damage or potential security risks. They also remove health and safety hazards such as stray bins, benches or even trees.

Mr Stratford said: "The summer break is our busiest season because the children strangely like coming back to school."

His team adopts a non-aggressive approach and tries to gain the respect of children. "Only a small minority want to wreak havoc," he said. "Many just want somewhere to play."

Some schools allow children to use their playing fields during the holidays.

But those who choose to rip wood from mobile classrooms for bonfires or smoke and drink alcohol on school premises, know they risk being caught.

Mr Stratford said: "Youngsters are slowly learning it is not worth the trouble."

Hreod Parkway School in Moredon also praised School Watch's visits.

Head teacher, Andrew Fleet said: "They have been highly effective in minimising damage to our property.

"Although pupils are not allowed to play inside the perimeter fence of our site, I am aware the fields beyond are used for this."

Alison Clack, School Watch officer, feels part of the community as she patrols local schools.

She said: "Unlike the police, we keep returning to the same sites and get to know people.

"We combat crime by gaining the respect and developing good relations with youngsters."

Residents also ring the School Watch hotline if they see anything suspicious.

"We have full support and co-operation from the community. It is a brilliant partnership," Miss Clack added.

Armed with a direct line to Swindon police and fire station, School Watch is confident it can deal with any situation.

One of the most serious incidents last term involved a fire started by an electrical fault in a mobile classroom at Beechcroft Infant School in Upper Stratton.

While the fire brigade tackled the blaze, School Watch co-ordinated security measures.

The results of every site visit are recorded to improve the service. This information is then submitted to the school and council on a monthly basis, ready for evaluation.

Pauline McVitie then liaises with teachers and service managers to suggest security arrangements and discuss building maintenance.

Miss McVitie said: "The monthly reports are invaluable because they mean we are always upgrading our service."

In future she hopes that schools will invest in technology to transmit their CCTV footage to their control room in Barnfield Depot.

"With opportunities to tighten security even further, we aim to stamp out school vandalism altogether," she said.

Originally funded by the Swindon Council's risk management budget, schools now pay for the School Watch service on their insurance policy.

Jan Collins, the council's risk manager, said: "We are constantly receiving positive feedback from schools.

"Besides saving money, the scheme makes everyone feel safer and is going from strength to strength."

The School Watch hotline is: Swindon 464703.

DIARY OF DAMAGE

These are just some of the attacks of vandalism carried out on schools in the last two years:

January 22, 2000: Vandals daubed graffiti, damaged equipment and set fire to parts of Drove Primary School, Swindon, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

August 8, 2000: Children on a play scheme at Tregoze Primary faced a barren summer after a fire, deliberately started, burned down two storage sheds containing all of their equipment.

September 27, 2000: Raids on a shed at Haydonleigh Primary School left toys scattered across the playground. The school also complained that trespassing youths had damaged its roof. In total, at least £18,000- worth of damage was done to Swindon's schools over the summer.

March 8, 2001: Windmill Hill Primary School suffered £600 worth of vandalism after thugs smashed a window then returned to smash it and damage an internal wall two days later.

August 6, 2001: Mike Ferris, headteacher of St Sampson's Junior School, Cricklade, said a spate of vandalism, was putting his pupils at risk.

September, 15 2001: CCTV was installed on Swindon's school buses to deter bad behaviour and cut vandalism bills.

January 2, 2002: The Government allocated £37,000 to improve security in the town's schools. It will be spent on CCTV, fencing and access control systems.

January 22, 2002: Vandals wrecked three minibuses belonging to Brimble Hill Special School, before ruining a weather shelter that protects wheelchair users. An Evening Advertiser appeal raised funds to repair the buses.

February 12, 2002: Thugs used their fists to smash 14 windows at Moredon Junior School. A £5,000 repair operation was launched.

July 8, 2002: Arsonists started a fire at the former Gilberts Hill School in Old Town.