SHOCK figures have revealed that Bolton's schools have been hit by more than 600 burglary, arson and vandal attacks in the last 12 months, leaving repair bills estimated at £500,000.

Despite that sum falling from an estimated £1.4 million three years ago, a concerned Bolton education chief today described the loss of cash and facilities as a "significant" drain on school budgets.

Police in Astley Bridge, who cover the north side of Bolton including Horwich and Westhoughton, recorded 332 crimes against schools, 223 cases of damage, 93 burglaries and 16 arson attacks.

On the south side of the town, covering Farnworth, police recorded 244 attacks, including 75 burglaries, 158 cases of criminal damage and 11 arson attacks.

The total number of crimes recorded on or against schools across Bolton stands at 888. Cases include theft, car crime, drugs offences and wounding.

Repair costs are taken from school budgets although Bolton LEA can apply for government-funded renewal grants.

Bolton Council's assistant director of education, Chris Swift, said: "The cash cost to schools is significant but obviously you cannot cost the lost time and opportunities.

"Many of these incidents take money away from education."

Sgt Bill Crittenden, of Bolton Police, said: "It is extremely sad that our schools are being targeted in this way.

"More money is having to be spent on repairing broken windows rather than on the education of our children."

The figures represent a rise on previous years, although insurance claims have dropped. Vandals caused an estimated £15,000 worth of damage to Cherry Tree Country Primary School in Highfield Road, Farnworth, in an arson attack earlier this month.

St Michael's CE Primary School in Little Lever, Brownlow Fold Primary School in Bolton, Westhoughton County Primary School, Johnson Fold County Primary School, St James CE High School, Farnworth High School and Sharples High School were also targeted.

Astley Bridge police alone investigated 58 miscellaneous thefts at schools last year as well as four indecent assaults.

Sgt Crittenden said: "The school should be the centrepiece of the community so everyone in that community should take responsibility for their school and report any sort of incident."

Police and councillors today urged schools to bid for the right package of security measures by consulting experts. And they urged residents to report any suspicious sightings or attacks.

"Before governors and teachers make their schools as secure as possible and before they spend any money on security improvements they should contact their community crime reduction advisor," Sgt Crittenden added.

School chiefs at High Lawn School in Sharples and St Teresa's in Little Lever were asked to reconsider their steel fence applications last week in favour of welded mesh fences.

Council chiefs believe the welded mesh fences look better and provide the same level of security.

Planning councillor John Walsh said: "I want schools to be secure but I fear these applications will suffer if they insist on that type of fencing."

Bolton Council has adopted a major risk assesment strategy over the past three years and schools are offered funding to boost security.

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