Crime Prevention in Schools

Policy

This policy outlines strategies that can be adopted by schools to prevent criminal activity on school premises.

Summary

• Schools should actively adopt a range of crime prevention strategies to reduce the likelihood and consequence of criminal activity on their site. These strategies range from improvements to maintenance of physical infrastructure, electronic systems and processes.
• Schools may seek assistance from the Security Advisory Unit if they require additional security advice and support to address their security risks, refer to Contact details.
• Schools should make themselves familiar with the Department’s advice – Securing Your School — An Information Guide for Principals and School Leaders.

Details

Schools have a responsibility to provide a safe and secure working and learning environment for all students, staff, contractors, and visitors. Limiting the occurrence and consequence of criminal activities, even minor ones, has a positive impact on the perception of the school as a safe place to be and can improve the overall health and wellbeing of the school community.

The effective implementation of security controls can also support the development of a school community’s pride of place, which further enhances the school’s overall security structure.

Schools should reduce criminal acts by:

• making potential targets (school assets) inaccessible, and
• making the criminal activity too difficult or unprofitable for the offender.

These can be achieved by implementing physical, electronic and/or procedural security measures that deter, deny, delay and/or detect criminal activity, namely through:

• target hardening – such as locks, fences, window film
• environmental design and maintenance – such as vegetation management, lighting, signage
• electronic systems – such as intruder detection, CCTV, access control
• policies and procedures – such as visitor management, incident response.

Security Advisory Unit

The Department’s Security Advisory Unit (Security and Emergency Management Division) was established to support schools to identify their local risks and develop appropriate crime prevention and risk mitigation strategies.

The Unit may also be able to provide immediate support to schools that have experienced a security incident in order to assess what improvements could be made to further ensure staff and student safety and wellbeing.

Schools are encouraged to contact the Unit and discuss their security concerns with them.

CCTV information

CCTV installations in schools must comply with legislative and Department requirements. Schools must follow the CCTV in Schools – Installation and Management Policy when installing and managing CCTV systems to ensure they comply with these requirements.

Reporting criminal damage

Criminal activities, including threats of assault, assault, arson and burglary, are to be reported without delay to the police and to the Incident Support and Operations Centre (ISOC) by calling 1800 126 126.

This information is used to implement security initiatives, including the provision of targeted security patrols, installation of surveillance and intruder detection systems, and other strategies to assist schools.

Related policies

• CCTV in Schools – Installation and Management
• Police — Department Protocol on Reporting Criminal Activity
• Police and Child Protection Interviews
• Reporting and Managing School Incidents (including emergencies)
• Risk Management — Schools

Guidance

There is no further guidance for this topic. For more information, refer to Resources tab.

Resources

The booklet Securing your school – an information guide for principals and school leaders provides guidance and strategies to schools, to help keep their school secure through the prevention of criminal activities such as unwelcome visitors, graffiti, vandalism, burglary and arson.