School vandalism costs States thousands each year

Sunday 28 May 2017

More than £20,000 has been spent by the States on tackling vandalism in schools over the past three years.

Information obtained under the Freedom of Information Law shows more than 130 acts of vandalism were reported in States of Jersey schools between 2014 and 2016.

While over 76 young people were prosecuted for malicious damage during the same period, less than five per year were formally indicted for offences in schools.

The figure includes those prosecuted not just for deliberate acts of destruction or defacement, but those recorded as having damaged property through recklessness, such as when a door’s glass is broken after being slammed in anger.

Pictured:  The States spent over £6,000 on dealing with malicious damage in schools last academic year 2015-16. 

The number of children prosecuted aged 18 or under for such damage peaked in 2014 at 39, but this fell to 18 in 2016.

The amount of money spent on repairs in schools fell to £6,625.95 in the 2015-16 academic year, down from quantities totalling over £16,000 in the two previous years.

In 2014-15,  the States was forced to fork out £8,733.42, while £8,120.05 was spent in 2013-14.

While this constitutes a spend of £23,480.42, the reality is that the total States money invested in cleaning up acts of vandalism could be more, as “minor instances” are managed through schools’ cleaning and maintenance work – the cost of which is not always recorded.