School alarms to stop computer theft
INFRARED alarm systems are to be installed in computer laboratories in all publicly funded schools in a multimillion-dollar bid to stem a spate of computer thefts.
The Education Department, which will pay for the security programme, is due to start installing the systems - costing thousands of dollars in each of the 1,000 primary and secondary schools - next month.
Guidelines on how to operate them would be issued to schools soon, a spokesman said. He estimated the cost for each computer room would be about $8,500.
The total cost was difficult to estimate as the number of computer rooms at schools varied.
'Once the alarm is installed, any change of temperature or slight movement in the room will trigger the alarm. We will make sure schools enjoy good security at night when no one is on duty,' the spokesman said.
The decision follows a spate of burglaries targeting school computer laboratories.
In East Kowloon, more than 50 thefts were reported last year.
The department received 14 reports last year from schools requesting funds to replace stolen computers.
Most of the culprits are believed to be teenagers who break in after dark.
A police spokesman said they recognised the problem but could not provide a detailed breakdown of crime reports relating to computer thefts from schools.
'The main issue here is the lack of security at schools overnight; many are left exposed.' Many schools are situated in old housing estates with inadequate security.
The surge in computer thefts has been sparked by a drop in supply of parts because of last year's earthquake in Taiwan.
One shopkeeper, Mr Ng, who only gave his surname, of Four Seas Computer Store in Shamshuipo, said the price for memory boards had increased 40 to 50 per cent over the past year.
'Many overseas companies had cut back production to boost the price, and after the earthquake it has got worse.'
