Securing the School Holiday: A Strategic Guide to Mitigating Risk and Preventing Crime.

Simon Legrand
Sep 1
7 min read

The long school holidays, once seen as a period of rest and quiet, have become a critical vulnerability window for UK schools. With premises left largely unoccupied, schools become a prime target for opportunistic crime, including vandalism, trespassing, and theft. The absence of natural surveillance provided by pupils and staff can leave a site exposed to risks that would be unthinkable during term time. This guide to mitigating risk and preventing crime moves beyond the simple "lock the doors and hope" approach. It provides a strategic, proactive plan for school leaders to mitigate risk, prevent criminal activity, and ensure their premises are secure and ready to welcome everyone back at the start of the new term. Our focus is on a multi-layered defence that combines physical, technological, and procedural measures.

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The Holiday Vulnerability Window: Understanding the Risks

A school is at its most vulnerable when its doors are closed. The lack of routine activity removes the most effective security measure of all: human presence. Criminals are aware of this, which is why holiday periods often see a spike in incidents. The threats are not singular; they form a complex web of risks that can cause significant damage and financial loss.

Risk of Vandalism: Without the oversight of teachers and a community, empty school grounds and buildings are an easy target for acts of vandalism, from graffiti and broken windows to more serious property damage. This type of crime is often opportunistic and can escalate rapidly if a school is perceived as a "soft target."
Risk of Trespassing: Unauthorised individuals may see the empty premises as an opportunity for recreational or illicit activity, which can lead to damage and a need for post-holiday clean-up. Trespassing is not a victimless crime; it is a serious safeguarding concern that can pose a risk to both the intruders themselves and the integrity of the school environment.
Risk of Theft: Schools are treasure troves of high-value assets, including IT equipment, audiovisual gear, and sports equipment. These items are often left in plain sight or in easily accessible areas, making them a prime target. A single, successful break-in can result in the loss of thousands of pounds worth of equipment, disrupting teaching and incurring high insurance costs.
Risk of Fly-Tipping: In rural or semi-rural areas, school grounds can become a dumping site for illegal waste. This not only incurs significant clean-up costs but also poses health and environmental hazards. A fly-tipping incident signals to others that the area is not monitored, potentially attracting further illegal activity.
Cybersecurity Threats: While often overlooked, the holidays also present a risk of cybersecurity threats. Without daily vigilance, a dormant network can become a target for ransomware or malware attacks, which can encrypt critical data and render a school's systems inoperable.

The Proactive Security Checklist: Pre-Holiday Actions

Before the final school bell rings for the holiday, a comprehensive security checklist must be completed. This is not about a single person doing a quick walk-through, but about a systematic, multi-departmental approach.

1. Physical Security Check

Secure the Perimeter: Conduct a full perimeter check of all fencing and gates. Ensure there are no holes, weak spots, or loose bolts. All gates should be securely locked. For multi-site schools, confirm that all gates on all sites are secured.
Lock All Doors and Windows: This may seem obvious, but every single window and door, including those on upper floors and in temporary buildings, must be checked and securely locked. Any broken locks should be repaired immediately.
Remove Debris and Loose Items: Clear the grounds of any debris, rubbish, or loose items that could be used to cause damage or as a climbing aid. Move bins and skips away from the main school buildings to prevent them from being used for arson or as a point of entry.
External Buildings: Ensure all outbuildings, such as sports pavilions, maintenance sheds, and equipment storage units, are properly secured.

2. Technological Systems Check

Verify CCTV Operation: Ensure all cameras are operational and that their lenses are clean and free from obstructions. Confirm that the NVR/DVR has sufficient storage capacity for the duration of the holidays. Check the health of the hard drives and ensure they are recording correctly.
Test the Alarm System: Verify that the intruder alarm is working correctly and that it is fully monitored by an alarm receiving centre. Confirm that the nominated keyholders' contact details are up to date and that they are aware of the protocol.
Check Lighting: Ensure all external security lighting is in good working order. Motion-activated lighting is an excellent deterrent for after-hours activity.

3. Valuables and IT Security

Secure High-Value Assets: Store all valuable assets, such as laptops, tablets, and projectors, in designated, locked secure rooms. If possible, remove smaller, high-value items from sight or even off-site.
Back Up Data: For critical systems, ensure a recent backup of data is stored securely off-site to protect against loss from theft or damage. This is a non-negotiable step to protect against ransomware.
Secure Contractors' Materials: If building or maintenance work is planned, ensure all contractors' materials and skips are stored securely away from the main buildings and that all entry points for contractors are tightly controlled.

The Role of Technology: A Multi-Layered Defence

Modern security technology provides the essential eyes and ears for a school during holidays. A smart, integrated system is a 24/7 guardian that acts as both a deterrent and a source of critical information.

1. CCTV Surveillance: An effective CCTV system is invaluable. With remote access and a mobile app, a school leader or a designated security manager can perform a "virtual walk-through" of the school from a remote location. High-resolution cameras with motion detection capabilities can be set to send a push notification to a mobile device if activity is detected in an unusual area. Advanced AI-powered analytics can distinguish between a human and an animal, reducing false alarms.

2. The Critical Role of Professional CCTV Monitoring: A CCTV system is a powerful deterrent, but its full value is realised when it is professionally monitored. While a self-monitored system can send alerts to a staff member, the reality is that during the holidays, an immediate response may not be possible. Professional monitoring bridges this gap, providing a 24/7 security presence that is both proactive and reliable.

Immediate and Verified Response: When a camera's motion detector or an alarm is triggered, the Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) operator receives a live video feed of the event. They can quickly assess the situation and distinguish between a genuine security threat (e.g., an intruder on the premises) and a false alarm (e.g., a passing animal or a tree branch). This verification is crucial; it ensures that police and emergency services are only called for genuine threats, providing a faster and more effective response.
Peace of Mind for School Leaders: A professionally monitored CCTV system allows school leaders to truly disconnect during the holidays, confident that any security event will be handled swiftly and efficiently by trained experts. The knowledge that any intrusion will be acted upon immediately and verified by a professional team is a non-negotiable part of a robust security strategy.

3. Integrated Access Control: Before leaving, school leaders can programme the access control system to restrict all access to the premises during the holiday period. Only essential, pre-authorised staff (e.g., maintenance) will be able to enter, and every entry attempt will be logged and recorded. This provides a clear audit trail and ensures no one is on-site without a legitimate purpose.

4. Intruder Alarms and Monitoring: A professional, monitored alarm system is a must-have. When an alarm is triggered, it should send a signal to an alarm receiving centre, which can then contact the police and a designated keyholder, ensuring a rapid response.

5. Smart Perimeter and Environmental Security: Technology can extend beyond the building.

Security Lighting: Well-lit perimeters, car parks, and entrances are a proven deterrent. Smart lighting can be programmed to switch on at dusk and off at dawn or to activate upon motion detection.
Perimeter Intrusion Detection: For high-risk areas, a simple fence can be enhanced with vibration sensors or infrared beams that send an alert to a monitoring centre if the perimeter is breached.
Automated Gates: Automated gates and barriers can be programmed to remain closed and locked during the entire holiday period, providing a robust physical barrier to vehicles.

Procedural and Human Protocols

Technology is only one part of the solution. A strong holiday security plan also relies on clear procedures and human protocols.

Liaison with Authorities: Inform your local police community support officers (PCSOs) of your school's holiday schedule and provide them with keyholder contact information. Building a relationship with local law enforcement is a vital part of your community security plan.
Staff and Keyholder Management: A formal procedure for keyholder management is crucial. Ensure there are multiple keyholders available during the holiday, and that their contact information is up to date. This ensures a rapid response can be mounted in the event of an alarm.
Community Engagement: Encourage a sense of shared responsibility. Alert your local residents and businesses that the school will be closed for the holiday and ask them to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police's non-emergency line (101).

Post-Holiday Actions: Recovery and Reporting

The job is not complete when the school reopens. A final check is required to ensure everything is in order and that any incidents are properly documented and reported.

Comprehensive Site Inspection: A nominated staff member should perform a full walk-through of the premises, inside and out, checking for any signs of a breach, damage, or vandalism. This should be done before anyone else returns to the site.
System Verification: Ensure all security systems were operational throughout the break and that all data was captured and stored correctly. Check for any system alerts that may have occurred during the holiday and review the corresponding footage.
Incident Reporting: Any incidents of damage or theft must be reported to the police and to the school's insurance company as soon as possible. Detailed and clear CCTV footage will be essential for these reports and can help with a claims process.

Securing a school during holiday periods is a critical task that demands a professional, proactive, and systematic approach. By implementing a comprehensive security checklist and leveraging modern security technology, school leaders can ensure that the school remains a safe and secure environment, protecting the physical and financial assets of the community and providing peace of mind for everyone.

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