SCHOOL caretakers have been brushing up on their security skills in a bid to combat burglars.

A number of training courses have been taking place across the borough to advise council-employed caretakers on how to keep schools safe and secure.

It follows break-ins at nine schools in Bury over the last year where IT equipment and other electronic items have been stolen.

Officers say thieves only get a few pounds for the items, but costs schools and the council thousands of pounds to replace.

Gaynor Mason, crime reduction advisor for Bury, said “It is everybody's responsibility to keep schools secure and safe but caretakers are on the front line, checking perimeter security is intact, buildings are kept secure, equipment is locked away and alarms are set.

“They are often the ones dealing with damage, vandalism, burglary and anti-social behaviour, so it is important they have good knowledge of how to prevent crime and also assist the police with forensic recovery.”

Susan Clark, Bury Council's head of cleaning service, said: “Being called out to an intruder alarm activation in the middle of the night, to be confronted with mindless vandalism or damage from a burglary is very demoralising and something we are working to avoid.”

Anyone who sees a crime being committed on school premises is urged to contact police immediately.