A PROFESSIONAL gang is believed to be involved in an astonishing spate of computer burglaries at schools in Salford.

In the last four months, more than 100 primary and high schools have been raided.

Now crisis talks are being held between police, education bosses and security consultants in a bid to tackle the problem, which has seen hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of equipment taken.

Two gangs are thought to have been behind the burglaries. One is suspected of being a group of juveniles, but the other, which often gains access by going through the roofs of premises, is thought to be a well-organised team.

Supt Jack Dees, head of Swinton police, said: ‘‘We do have a problem with burglaries at schools across the city.

‘‘We are addressing it by a variety of measures.

‘‘We have had some success in arresting culprits, but it is obvious that there is more than one team involved.

‘‘There is additional money being made available for schoool security and we are working with the schools to make sure this is made a priority and that state-of-the-art security is introduced to protect computer equipment.

‘‘There has been an upturn in the market for stolen computer gear and schools and business premises have suffered badly. I would encourage those living in the vicinity of schools to be vigilant.’’

Coun Keith Mann, Salford city council’s education spokesman, said: ‘‘We will have to significantly improve security and the money will have to be found to do that. Some schools have got security improvements in place, but many haven’t.’’

One source said: ‘‘As quickly as new equipment is going into schools, it is going back out.

‘‘The schools are getting better IT kit, but no better security.’’

Among those schools that have been targeted are Buile Hill High, where an armed gang escaped with computers from a cyber cafe that was being set up.

Most recently, a team broke in through the roof of St Ambrose Barlow Roman Catholic High.

The local education authority has spent £2.5m equipping schools with new computers to prepare for a system which will provide instant Internet access for pupils.

But, as reported in the Manchester Evening News, only 12 schools have so far been connected out of 135 sites, due to delays by BT — despite the contract being ordered in March 2000.