GEORGE NEWS - Hundreds of meter of burglar alarm, intercom and internet cable was stolen over the weekend from Dellville Park Primary School for its copper content value.

Headmaster Robert Grootboom told the George Herald, "The thieves entered the school property on Friday night 20 October. 

"They used something similar to a crowbar and ripped all the plastic tubing casings from the walls and removed the copper wires at their leisure."

Grootboom is most upset that he had not received a call from ADT burglar alarms informing him of the break-in.

"The school paid R30 000 to install the system and the monthly fee is paid per debit order, but I was the first one to find out about the burglary, and that only by chance. 

"We were at the school's debutante function at the George showgrounds on Saturday night when I was asked to fetch something from the school. 

"When I tried to deactivate the alarm I realised something was wrong. ADT came out as they received a signal that someone was entering the school. 

"What upset me is that the security guard did not have the school's remote, claiming it was in another vehicle."

The matter was reported to the police and the detectives took fingerprints.

"I contacted ADT and they are now at the school reinstalling and rewiring the system, but I still want to know why the burglar alarm was not activated," said Grootboom.

The plastic tubing that housed the burglar alarm wires was scattered all over.

Steven Green, Garden Route branch manager for Fidelity ADT said, "We can confirm the incident and are conducting an investigation. We also confirm that Fidelity ADT received an alarm signal and responded to the premises on Saturday 21 October. 

Key holders were called at the time of the activation, but without success. 

We will continue to work with Dellville Park School and the police during the ongoing investigation."

ARTICLE & PHOTOS: MYRON RABINOWITZ, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST

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