Vandalism: Risk Assessment for Schools

Reports on a risk assessment survey, piloted in five London schools,which aimed to assess the schools′ susceptibility to vandalism, and to establish which elements had the greatest effect on such vandalism. Findings show that most schools suffer vandalism of external areas, the level of which depends on boundary definition and maintenance, the number of entrances, whether sites are patrolled, and a building′s geometry. Suggests that objective risk assessment for schools is possible, and that headteachers can use such assessment to protect their schools more cost‐effectively.