KUCHING: Schools in the state have been urged to beef up their security in order to protect their students against criminals, including snatch thiefs.
Amy Ling Swee Ling, 38, a parent, suggested that schools hold awareness campaigns for students and members of the public on such matter.
On Monday, a 21-year-old woman fell victim to a snatch thief while waiting for her sister, a student of Chung Hua Middle School No. 3 here.
The snatch thief, who wore a full-faced helmet, entered the school compound on his motorcycle to snatch a cell phone from the woman.
But the brave victim gave chase and managed to grab hold of the thief’s shirt as he rode on.
In the ensuing struggle, the woman was dragged a few metres, causing her to sustain injuries to her wrists, elbows and knees. But she managed to get back her phone and the school authorities later sent her to the Sarawak General Hospital for treatment.
Commenting on the incident, Ling said, “We are entrusting schools to provide good education to our children as well as look after their safety and well-being.
“School security also means protecting them from dangerous outsiders.”
Another parent, who only wanted to be known as Hensen, 45, said all parties should be involved in addressing the matter and not point fingers at the school.
“Schools have to be strict about security matters and check on the personal details and backgrounds of individuals who enter their compounds. Visitors have to report to the security personnel on duty on their purpose of entering the school compounds.”
He added another effective step of securing the school environments was by installing CCTVs.
“Be it the identification of non-accredited persons at the scene or a heated encounter that may lead to violence, the footage from the CCTV can also serve as evidence in assisting police investigations,” said Hensen.
