Calls are being made for better security measures at Swindon schools.

Schools across Swindon have been hit by increased vandalism in the last year.

And now a Conservative councillor is asking the borough to look into how security can be improved.

Garry Perkins has put a motion to the council, which is meeting on Thursday, for officers to investigate which security systems would be appro- priate to install in all schools.

This will mean that schools will have guidelines for what security systems should be used and how funding can be found.

Coun Perkins (Con, Dorcan), who is also the chairman of governors at Eldene Primary School, said: "The last time Eldene was vandalised it caused £500 of damage.

"This has to come out of the school's budget, which is money that could be used for books and such. All of the new schools in the town are fitted with top-of-the-range security systems, but the older schools are being left out.

"Advice needs to be given to schools as to what the best security measures are and how these can be funded, either with help from the LEA or from Govern-ment funding.

"In the wake of Dunblane, security needs to be paramount."

In September, vandals struck Haydonleigh Primary School smashing windows, leaving toys scattered across the playground, and damaging a gate.

Swindon and Highworth schools have been involved in more than 220 crimes so far this year, 50 of which were vandalism.

Andrew Nye, the headteacher of Haydon Wick Primary School and vice-chairman of the Swin-don Association of Primary Schools, said: "I would have said that the security situation varies at different schools.

"Some experience less vandalism than others, while some have better security systems.

"We would welcome any unified approach to security as our main concern is the children."

The full council will be meeting at 7pm on Thursday night to discuss the motion.

Mike Lusty, the borough's director of education and community, said: "In general, a lot of schools have taken advantage of the Schools Security Standard Fund which is paid for by the council and Government.

"We have spent £84,000 this financial year on school security measures and we are always looking to see what more could be done."