- Increase in School Break-ins in North Rhine-Westphalia
School Break-ins in North Rhine-Westphalia saw a Surge Last YearAccording to the State Criminal Police Office (LKA) NRW, there was a rise in school break-ins in North Rhine-Westphalia last year. The number of incidents reached 851, a significant jump over the 756 incidents reported the previous year. This rise represents over eleven percent increase in break-ins.
In contrast, if we look at the last four years, we notice a decrease of approximately 30 percent. In 2019, a staggering 1,084 school break-ins were recorded, followed by 967 instances in 2020.
However, interestingly, the total damage caused by these break-ins has seen a substantial increase over the years. For instance, the 1,084 incidents in 2019 resulted in damages of approximately 725,000 euros. In contrast, the damage from the 851 incidents in 2023 exceeded 1.2 million euros.
The Role of Digital DevicesThe LKA speculates that this rise in damage could be linked to the digital transformation that has taken place in schools since 2022. With an increased focus on digital media in education, more digital devices such as tablets have become available in schools. These devices, which were often purchased for students during the COVID-19 pandemic, have become popular targets for burglars. Besides tablets, other electronic devices and cash are also at risk.
In May 2023, a vocational college in Bielefeld lost 186 tablets worth over 90,000 euros. Similar incidents were reported in schools in Langenfeld (Mettmann district) and Bedburg-Hau (Cleves district) as well. In May, a vocational school in Frechen (Rhein-Erft district) was robbed of a safe, electronic devices, and cash worth approximately 50,000 euros.
Investigations in CologneThe LKA could not provide any insights into temporal trends in school break-ins, such as their occurrence during school holidays. However, the potential availability of a large number of tablets assigned to students during the summer holidays could serve as incentive for some burglars.
Early this year, a special investigation team focused on burglaries in schools and kindergartens reported success. Following several apartment searches in NRW, a group of 15 young individuals between the ages of 17 and 22 are being investigated by the Cologne Criminal Police. They stand accused of breaking into at least 38 schools and kindergartens in and around Cologne in 2023. The group is suspected of stealing cash, tablets, and laptops worth over 500,000 euros and causing property damage of 250,000 euros.
The Commission, in adherence to Article 113, may be required to adopt implementing acts to address the increasing digital devices theft in schools following the surge in school break-ins. This rise in break-ins and associated theft has been linked to the digital transformation in schools and the availability of valuable digital devices.
