iPad thieves 'rob kids of education'

Senior Constable Pehi Potaka returns to the scene of one of the crimes at Raureka School. Photo/ Doug Laing

Thieves and receivers of stolen property are being accused of "robbing kids of their education" after two burglaries targeting modern technology in Hastings schools.

The condemnation came from Hawke's Bay Police tactical crime squad member Pehi Potaka yesterday as police continue looking for some of the 24 iPad Minis taken from the schools in the suburb of Raureka during the past fortnight.

Mr Potaka confirmed 16 iPad Minis were taken Ebbett Park School, in Oliphant Rd, on the weekend of June 25-26, and eight more were taken from Raureka School, in Gordon Rd, early last Thursday morning.

Following the Ebbett Park burglary, police searched a Flaxmere property and recovered five of the iPads, which were able to return them to the school, Mr Potaka said.

By late yesterday there had been no arrests, but police said that while they hoping to be able to arrest those responsible, anyone who had bought or received the stolen items could expect to also be charged.

"This is robbing kids of their education, at a time when this digital learning is at a very important stage of their lives," he said. "What's more, a lot of schools have difficulty meeting insurance excesses for this sort of thing, but the money has to come from somewhere - usually some other part of the school budget. One way or another, children still miss out."

The burglars had clearly targeted just the iPads, and after breaking into the schools appeared to have gone directly to the rooms where the items were stored.

Raureka Board of Trustees chairman Glenn Varcoe said there was a significant impact on the pupils' sense of security, and the stolen iPads contained information and work which was personal to each of the students who used them.

The school had had several iPads stolen in what appeared to be more opportunist theft during a school event in the first term but they were returned after an appeal to the people of the area by the Raureka Community Trust.

"They're are getting pretty pro-active in the community, and they have been putting it out there that we want the iPads back - regardless."

- Anyone with information about the thefts or suspicious activity which could be linked is asked to contact the Hastings police by phoning 831-0700 or anonymously on Crimestoppers, phone 0800 555 111.