Cambridge Gardens Public School broken into 19 times as parents call for security ramp up

A Sydney school has been the subject of a massive 19 break and enters over the past year, with iPads and computers stolen and projectors ripped from classroom ceilings.

A Sydney school has been repeatedly broken into and vandalised 19 times in the past year — with its library rendered “unusable” in April — as the NSW Government is called on to improve security measures to stop vandals in their tracks.

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell revealed Cambridge Gardens Public School has been the target of 19 security incidents since February 28 last year, including a series of trespass, vandalism and break in reports.

Students at Cambridge Gardens Public School are going without school technology after 19 incidents of break and enter at the school in the past year. (AAP Image / Angelo Velardo)

It comes after opposition spokeswoman Prue Car, through upper house MLC Anthony D’Adam, called for new security fencing to be installed around the under-seized school.

Cambridge Gardens Public School parent Belinda Adams has called on the NSW Government to install “adequate security fencing” in order to stop thieves and vandals from accessing the school grounds.

“We are at breaking point,” Ms Adams said. “During lockdown, when the children of first responders were having to go to school, there was not a single iPad or laptop available because of the theft that occurs here regularly.

Belinda Adams has hit out over the lack of security fencing.

“Our children are resilient, but they are being disadvantaged by petty thieves.”

The mother-of-two said incidents have been so bad that projectors were being ripped off classroom ceilings and a syringe was found on school grounds earlier this year.

“If we had the fencing, which the government won’t give us, these things wouldn’t be happening.”

She said thieves have worked out when technology was being replaced by insurance companies and “striking again” within days.

“Senior staff are being forced to deal with police and contractors to address the issue,” she said.

Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said the school was being considered for the Education Department’s security initiative program.

“The school sees security guard services which respond to alarm activations and after-hours calls from the community,” the Minister said.

“(There are — security patrols to address emerging issues and minimise risk during the high risk vacation period and also static guard placements where required.”

The Mitchell said the Department’s school security unit provides advice and support to address security incidents.

Shadow Education spokeswoman Prue Car

Ms Car said she was determined to keep fighting with families to get security fencing built.

“How many break-ins will it take before the NSW Government builds a security fence at Cambridge Gardens Public School?” she said.

“There’s been tens of thousands of dollars in damage and stolen items, yet the Liberal Government is still ignoring this Western Sydney school.

“Thieves are getting rich off this local school because Education Minister Sarah Mitchell won’t fund a security fence in the budget.”