When Tauranga schools pack up for their holidays this week, many of them will be taking their laptops with them.
Laptops, cameras, projectors and other portable electronic devices were being packed up this week and removed from schools that will be largely empty for the next six weeks.
Empty schools are a relatively easy target for burglars detective sergeant Pete Blackwell says are actively looking for laptop computers to steal.

St Mary's principal Bill Ahern, telling burglars to go elsewhere.

They are easy to carry, high value, in demand and some are being stolen to order.
Some schools are not only removing all their portable electronics, they are also putting up signs telling potential burglars they are wasting their time.
'What we've done over the last week is we've approached out 19 main targets for burglaries over recent months in the Western Bay of Plenty and given them advice in relation to security,” says Pete.
'They have been our number one problem for several months in relation to burglaries. We have had a good response from them with regard to security through the long Christmas period.”
As well as advising schools about upgrading building security the police team is also looking at area security around schools and contacting schools' neighbours to remind them to 'See something, say something” and call police.
Laptops are currently the burglar's item of choice says Pete. They are easy to carry and there is a ready market, with some being stolen to order.
It is not just the schools. The same advice applies to homes. Don't leave electronics lying around when they are not in use. Alert your neighbours if you are going to be away and call 0800 SPEAK UP if you see something suspicious.
Police would rather catch the burglars in the act, than chase them down through the people dealing in the stolen property.