In 2002, New Territories North recorded a total of 76 burglaries and 129 theft cases in schools with a total loss value of over $1.3 million. In the first six months of 2003, there were 36 burglaries and 96 cases of theft with a total loss value of over $600,000. These figures leave no room for complacency because analysis of records revealed that in burglaries the peak occurred during the long summer holidays and in theft cases the peak was in the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Schools were therefore urged to make early preparations for the coming holidays. Case analyses revealed that most victims lacked crime prevention knowledge and left property carelessly in classrooms which were not locked up, or, left property on tabletops casually and went away, or, kept cash in drawers which were not locked.