schools were vandalised in less than a week.

Police spokesperson Evelyn James-Barnett said vandals went on a rampage at Elliott Primary, and Paget Primary last week.

The groundskeeper at Paget Primary, on Ord Road, found smashed flood lights and poles on the school field during a routine check of the school grounds at 2.15 p.m. last Tuesday.

He also reported to Police that the goal posts at both ends of the field were extensively damaged, the nets were cut and the support bar broken. Holes were also dug up on the playing field.

A nearby electrical junction box was also maliciously damaged, Police said, and wires had been dug up and cut.

Police also received a report that several glass panes had been broken in a classroom and the assembly hall at Elliott.

Works and Engineering Minister Leonard Gibbons said while he did not know exactly how much Government had to fork out for vandalism on schools, it was a reoccurring problem.

"We've always had vandalism at one point or the other,'' he said, "but obviously not to this extent. We are asking Police to step up patrols.'' Mrs. James-Barnett noted that in each of the recent reports of vandalism, it was recommended that parish constables step up patrols in the areas.

"It probably will be included in the parish constables scheme,'' she said.

Government is also considering erecting fencing around all public schools to keep out undesirable elements.

A committee has been appointed to look into the issue of security at schools and present a report during the school year.

But Education Minister Jerome Dill noted that the security audit will deal with students' and staff safety rather than property.

And both he and Mr. Gibbons pointed out that fencing would not prevent people who were determined to destroy property.

"If you have irresponsible people who wait until the dead of the night and destroy property, there's not a whole lot we can do,'' Mr. Dill said.

People must realise that everyone will pay for such senseless destruction, he added.

POLICE POL CRIME CRM