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 | | LET’S GET SMARTER ABOUT PREVENTING SCHOOL BREAK-INS, SAYS THE ROOFLIGHT COMPANY | | | The Rooflight Company | | 03/07/2008 | | | * With hundreds of UK schools each year suffering break-ins each year and costs running into hundreds of thousands, The Rooflight Company urges a more robust approach to security *
UK schools and their students are paying an unacceptable price for break-ins each year – both in terms of money and the adverse effects on pupils’ education. The UK’s Arson Prevention Bureau estimates that around 20 UK schools suffer an arson attack every week, disrupting the education of over 90,000 students. This is on top of much higher figures for theft and vandalism-related break-ins to school premises. According to analysis by The Rooflight Company - the UK’s leading provider of high quality rooflights, roof windows and skylights - old roof and skylights are a key area of vulnerability, and are often the access point for intruders. The company believes that the UK can significantly reduce break-ins to school premises by tightening up rooflight and skylight security.
A break-in can have highly detrimental effects on school budgets and pupils’ learning. In 2007, the town of Bury alone was subject to 39 incidents of damage or theft at schools, resulting in insurance claims of £98,000. The picture nationally is much the same.
Peter King, Co-Chair & Founder of the Rooflight Company, believes that there are simple things which schools can do to prevent these incidents: “As an architect, I feel passionate about this issue. I would urge schools to look at their points of vulnerability – particularly rooflight and skylight access points – and plan to replace older, insecure windows with modern, added security versions. As well as the benefits for students and staff, there are likely to be gains from reduced insurance premiums as schools become less high risk targets.”
The Rooflight Company now offers a range of ‘Added Security’ rooflights which have been specifically designed to meet the needs of the schools sector. Added Security rooflights have already been installed in a number of school premises around the UK.
The Willow School in Rotherham has recently installed Replica Rooflights from the Rooflight Company. Jan Armitage, Architect for Rotherham District Council, says: “The recently installed rooflights use natural ventilating materials and make full benefit of solar shading in the classrooms. They look amazing, increase daylight to aid better study and help to provide a safe environment.”
The Rooflight Company offers the UK’s widest range of rooflights, including the ‘Added Security Plateau Rooflight’ designed especially for vulnerable buildings. This flat rooflight comes in a beautifully designed range, and can be tailored to complement the style of the building. The flat rooflight range includes the Plateau, Pyramid, Lantern, Polyedge and Bespoke Specials which can be made to order. | |
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