Guards tied up and beaten in third SMC robbery

[dropcap]B[/dropcap]loodied photos have surfaced on the net in the wake of the third reported robbery at St. Mary’s College since the start of the new school term. Reports indicate that security guards on the premises were attacked and tied up during the incident on Monday evening.“Police responded in good time and interrupted the burglary,” a representative from the school shared on social media. “I’m speechless right now.” The staff member added that after tying up the security guards the intruders “went on a rampage” in the principals office, staffroom, counselors room and bursars office.

The College remained closed today as requested by the Ministry of Education but staff members were asked to report to the school. Just weeks ago a group of students from the all boys institution were left traumatized after being robbed at knife point on school premises. At the time, thieves had scaled a fence at the back of the school grounds during lunch break after which they made their way to the form two block where they accosted the students.

The College isn’t the only school on the island being targeting by bandits. The Castries Comprehensive Secondary School has been robbed at least five times in the last few months. The National Skills Development Centre and the Sans Souci Primary School have also been broken into in recent times.

Earlier this month St. Lucia’s Prime Minister Allen Chastanet strongly denounced the spate of robberies and burglaries which have occurred recently, particularly in schools across the island.
In the words of the Prime Minister: “This disturbing trend will not be taken lightly by Government and by extension the law enforcement of this country. This is not a positive activity for anyone to engage in. It cannot be tolerated that people do not feel safe at the very institutions that are tasked to educate, mould and shape young minds in an atmosphere which is conducive to learning”.
The Prime Minister has since called on Saint Lucians to assist the police in their investigations and discourage the practice of purchasing stolen goods.”

St. Lucia’s Minister for Home Affairs and National Security Senator Hermangild Francis speaking on the issue expressed that “The government will indicate a way forward on this matter soon.”