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Ecclesiastical survey finds stress levels have risen to their highest levels since 2019.
Schools suffer increase in crime
04 September 2023
New research finds four in five have been targeted by offenders during the past year.
New research1 commissioned by specialist education insurer Ecclesiastical has revealed schools are a prime target for offenders as four in five (79%) have experienced crime during the past 12 months, up 15% on the previous year2.
The survey of 500 UK teachers found over a third (35%) of schools have suffered anti-social behaviour, up 7% on the previous year3. Three in 10 (31%) were defaced by graffiti, up 8%, and 28% suffered trespassing, up 4%.
On average, crime over the past 12 months has cost schools more than £26,000, double4 the previous year.
Of those that experienced a crime, two in five (43%) said the crime had been committed by pupils and three in ten (31%) by ex-pupils.
Crime has had a detrimental impact on pupil welfare. Over a third (36%) of teachers reported pupil anxiety has increased as a result of the crimes experienced, up from a quarter of schools (25%) in 2022.
The majority (88%) of schools have taken proactive steps to prevent crime during the past 12 months and investments in CCTV, alarms, and security lighting have increased5.
However, schools are assessing crime and security risks less frequently6 and half (50%) of teachers believe their school needs to do more to prevent crime.
Faith Kitchen, customer segment director at Ecclesiastical Insurance, said: “As one of the leading insurers of schools in the UK, Ecclesiastical is passionate about supporting the education sector. Our research shows schools are a prime target for criminals and it’s concerning to see four in five have suffered a crime during the past year. For schools, crime experienced within school property can be a stressful event for teachers, as it is they who are left to deal with the implications of teaching without laptops or equipment, while leadership has to tackle the expenses incurred. There are a number of measures schools can take to better secure school property and assets, which would ideally be a combination of both physical and electronic protection. Fencing around the perimeter can often offer a good first line of defence against unwanted visitors, while CCTV can act as a visual deterrent for those not wanting to be caught on camera.”
Ecclesiastical Insurance offers a range of risk management support and guidance to help schools manage the risks they face. For more information visit Education risk management.
1 The survey was commissioned by specialist education insurer Ecclesiastical and conducted by OnePoll with 500 UK teachers from 4 – 13 July 2023.
2 The survey was commissioned by specialist education insurer Ecclesiastical and conducted by OnePoll with 500 UK teachers from 29 July – 11 August 2022. In 2022, 64% experienced a crime during the past 12 months.
3 Top crimes experienced during past 12 months:
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-social behaviour | 35% | 28% |
| Graffiti | 31% | 23% |
| Trespassing | 28% | 24% |
4 On average, crime cost schools £26,575 in 2023, up from £13,386 in 2022.
5 Top security measures during past 12 months:
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| CCTV | 62% | 49% |
| Alarms | 38% | 27% |
| Security lighting | 31% | 19% |
6 How frequently schools assess crime and security risks:
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | 16% | 35% |
| Quarterly | 19% | 35% |
| Twice a year | 15% | 15% |
| Annually | 36% | 9% |
| Every two years | 10% | 3% |