Hundreds of break-ins at schools - but only a small percentage result in charges

There have been 688 break-ins or attempted break-ins at schools and colleges in our region over the past five years - with Shropshire showing one of the highest number of instances.

A new study revealed a total of 71 break-ins or attempts at institutions across the county since 2021, with 23 of them taking place in Telford and Wrekin, and 48 in the Shropshire Council area.

Worcestershire had the highest number of offences at 146, followed by Birmingham on 74 - perhaps not surprising given that the city is home to 437 schools.

There were 28 break-ins or attempts in Stafford, 19 in Cannock, and just seven in Lichfield.

West Midlands Police was unable to provide figures for 2021, but the past four years have seen 15 break-ins or attempts in Wolverhampton, ahead of Dudley, which had 14, and Walsall which had 13.

Sandwell appeared to get off lightly with just seven offences, despite having 131 schools.

West Mercia Police reported a total of 244 incidents, with only 10 of them resulting in a charge or summons.

In Staffordshire there were 230 break-ins or attempts from 2021 to 2025, with only eight resulting in a charge or summons.

West Midlands Police received 145 break-in and attempted break-in reports at educational institutions over the past four years, two of which resulted in a formal charge or summons - just 1.4 per cent.

Security firm Nothing But Padlocks, which compiled the data, said computers, tablets and televisions were among the most commonly stolen items, along with garden equipment and plants, machinery and tools, security technology and food and drink.

Rich Quelch, managing director of Nothing But Padlocks, said the alarming frequency of break-ins at schools, colleges, universities and nurseries across the West Midlands was having a serious financial impact on the education system at a time of tightening budgets and increasing pressure.

“While it is positive to see the number of recorded incidents by police has been declining since 2023, this remains a sizeable and concerning issue,” he said.

“It’s clear more needs to be done to protect educational buildings from opportunistic thieves and further investment in reliable, cost-effective security products to help protect valuable assets and ensure a safer learning environment for students and staff alike.”