Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser has slammed the SNP Government’s “soft touch” justice system for failing to clamp down on vandalism in schools in Perth and Kinross.
Data supplied to the Scottish Conservatives through Freedom of Information (FoI) reveals that the cost of vandalism to schools in the region amounted to a staggering £261,579.57. This was for the period between the 2022-23 financial year to 2024-25.
Broken down this amounted to 2022-23 - £41,413.74; 2023-24 - £122,810.08 and 2024-25 - £97,355.75.
In their response to the FoI, Perth and Kinross Council said the figures supplied related to works associated with ‘vandalism’ logged with their Property Services Team. They stated this ‘may not cover the cost of other crimes.’
Commenting, Mr Fraser said: “The cost of vandalism to schools in Perth and Kinross Council is shocking and very concerning. I’m sure residents will be very alarmed to read the cost of vandalism to schools in the region, and even more concerned to learn that the four schools associated specifically with the highest costs of vandalism here were all primary schools.
“This is money that could have been spent on other important council services in Perth and Kinross. Yet again the problem is systematic of the soft touch justice system we have seen under this SNP Government, whereby there are no consequences for actions such as this.
“We have seen examples of escalating violence in many of our schools, sometimes resulting in pupils attacking fellow pupils and even on occasions teachers being assaulted. However, all we get as a form of response are warm words from the SNP.”
Mr Fraser continued: “The mindless behaviour of whoever was responsible for causing this vandalism in our schools must be called out but so must the fact that the SNP Government should make sure that our schools are adequately safeguarded in the first place. We need to see CCTV cameras installed at schools to act as a deterrent and also a means of identifying and punishing offenders.
“The staggering cost of vandalism at schools in Perth and Kinross is further evidence of how the SNP have neglected our schools and failed to come up with satisfactory answers to tackle problems like this.”
