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AIBU?

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Original poster

Theft of mobile at 6th form.

31 replies

CumbrianYorkshireHybrid · 28/11/2023 21:01

AIBU to ask DD's 6th form to contribute or replace her stolen mobile phone?
DD was studying in the library at 6th form yesterday when she was approached from behind by a man (aged around 30). He mumbled something at her before thrusting a piece of paper in her face, then walking off. She quickly realised her phone had gone with him.

The events slowly unfolded. All visitors are to report to reception and everyone around school must wear a lanyard at all times. One pupil was so suspicious of this man with no lanyard and wearing a mask that she took phone footage of him, hence the accurate description we now have. DD barely saw him.

Before he walked into the library, he entered an office containing three staff members, including the vice principle. None of them challenged him or followed to see where he was going. They've said they assumed he was a delivery driver but he wasnt carrying anything and had no lanyard. He headed for the library where he wandered around for a couple of minutes before targetting DD. There were only eight students and two staff members in there. Neither of the two adults said or did anything to stop him.

There is the phone footage and lots of CCTV of the thief. He's seen running away and getting into a waiting car. It's the last thing you expect to happen in a small 6th form library and she's naturally shaken and upset at the loss of her phone when she did nothing wrong.

AIBU to expect 6th form to contribute?

OP posts:
LostAtTheCrossRoad · 28/11/2023 21:06

Don't be ridiculous. It'll almost certainly be in the home school contract or mobile policy that anything in site is at ones own risk.

PurpleNebula84 · 28/11/2023 21:06

How did she get phone footage of him if her phone was stolen?

SnappyMcMuffin · 28/11/2023 21:09

PurpleNebula84 · 28/11/2023 21:06

How did she get phone footage of him if her phone was stolen?

The OP states in her post another student was that suspicious that she was recording him!

I would be very concerned at the lack of safeguards the school has in place. I doubt you can claim for the phone though, sorry

Connected1 · 28/11/2023 21:09

PurpleNebula84 · 28/11/2023 21:06

How did she get phone footage of him if her phone was stolen?

Because "One pupil was so suspicious of this man with no lanyard and wearing a mask that she took phone footage of him, hence the accurate description we now have."
I do wonder about reading comprehension sometimes

Hiddenvoice · 28/11/2023 21:10

I’d be raising a complaint with the sixth form about how easy it was for an unidentified adult to enter the premises. I would mention in the complaint how dd phone was stolen and how security within the building and the staff was very relaxed.

Sadly I don’t think the college/ school will fund towards a new phone. Its horrible what happened but it could easily have been another student who stole the phone.

Psychoticbreak · 28/11/2023 21:10

I would be more worried about safeguarding in the school than a missing phone. Did he really go to all that trouble just to steal ONE phone or was he there for other reasons? Either way I would be in touch with the school and the police.

Justyouwaitandseeagain · 28/11/2023 21:10

I had almost exactly this same experience in sixth form (over 20yrs ago) it never crossed my mind it was anyones but my own fault as I'd left my phone exposed on the table next to me. It was exactly the same mode of theft. I reported the phone stolen and got a crime number. I also opted to have a cheaper phone for several years pretty much until I'd grown out of regular drinking / partying / going out.

BeckhamSeven · 28/11/2023 21:10

I wouldn't go down the route of getting compensation for the phone, but I would definitely be asking why there are strangers wondering around the school!!!! That seems like a huge safeguarding issue.

cansu · 28/11/2023 21:11

You are being ridiculous. The sixth form are not responsible. The thief is responsible. Your dd was unlucky and should keep her valuables in her bag and in her sight.

Hellocatshome · 28/11/2023 21:12

A complaint about their safeguarding procedures is justified but they are not going to stump up for a new phone. Report to the police. Do you have any insurance that covers it?

Theimpossiblegirl · 28/11/2023 21:12

It's lucky he was just a thief. I'd be seriously complaining about the safeguarding aspect of this.

I don't think they'll replace the phone but they do need to look at their procedures and lack of security.

Kitkat1523 · 28/11/2023 21:13

No way will they replace the phonr

endofthelinefinally · 28/11/2023 21:13

The lack of security is shocking. He could have been/done/ been carrying anything. Staff just let him walk in! That is a massive safeguarding fail.

Onabench · 28/11/2023 21:13

I’d want the school to thoroughly investigate how he entered the facility.

id be embarrassed to ask them to contribute to the cost. The phone is absolutely not their responsibility. That is what insurance is for

Conkersinautumn · 28/11/2023 21:15

Report the theft the the Police, let the school.know that you have done that. All you can do is contact your insurance company though. As much as the school has responsibility for safety on site i am sure they also have 'electrical or personal devices at own risk' that you've signed somewhere.

PurpleNebula84 · 28/11/2023 21:16

SnappyMcMuffin · 28/11/2023 21:09

The OP states in her post another student was that suspicious that she was recording him!

I would be very concerned at the lack of safeguards the school has in place. I doubt you can claim for the phone though, sorry

Show quote history

Ahhh, I missed that - I read it as it was her daughter when she said "she"... Missed the "one pupil bit"

I can see why you're concerned OP, but no, I don't think you can get school to pay for the phone - as a PP has said, it is like to come under "at your own risk" in their policies.

PurpleNebula84 · 28/11/2023 21:17

Connected1 · 28/11/2023 21:09

Because "One pupil was so suspicious of this man with no lanyard and wearing a mask that she took phone footage of him, hence the accurate description we now have."
I do wonder about reading comprehension sometimes

Show quote history

See my last comment 👍🏻

ZenNudist · 28/11/2023 21:21

Onabench · 28/11/2023 21:13

I’d want the school to thoroughly investigate how he entered the facility.

id be embarrassed to ask them to contribute to the cost. The phone is absolutely not their responsibility. That is what insurance is for

Agree. Also teach your DD to be more cautious with her belongings.

Years ago there used to be ads teaching people not to leave property unattended. I remember one of a woman nicking another woman's bag from workplace or in a toilet.

I don't understand how she's got to 6th form and not know this. I gave ds the lecture on this entering secondary school. Less about keeping an eye on his phone (which wouldn't be allowed out in the library at our school sixth form) but just about light fingers and nickable cash and tech.

I wouldn't be in a rush to replace like with like. She needs to live with consequences.

Theft situation sounds very bizarre and dramatic. I'd be raising it with the school and demanding answers. It could have been much worse than a stolen phone.

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 28/11/2023 21:24

They're lucky he was just there to steal a phone if he got in without any checks. I'd be reporting to ofsted as a major safeguarding concern

Original poster
CumbrianYorkshireHybrid · 28/11/2023 21:24

The police have been informed. They visited DD at 6th form today and are coming to our home tomorrow.
School are taking it very seriously. It was all such a shock yesterday. They say nothing even remotely similar has ever happened before.
The phone is insured.
School have offered to contribute/replace the phone but that wasn't what i was interested in discussing then I haven't asked, nor will I, for those that jumped up on their hind legs. The only concern I've raised is how easily this man did what he did. There were opportunities to stop him. I feel they failed to safegaurd DD.

OP posts:
LIZS · 28/11/2023 21:25

Report to police and claim on your household or phone insurance.

beAsensible1 · 28/11/2023 21:27

the school won't pay but that is very worrying that an unidentified man could get that far onto school premises.

You should raise a serious complaint, anything could've happened. glad your daughter is safe.

Ponderingwindow · 28/11/2023 21:28

I’d be furious with the school that a stranger was allowed on campus. I would focus my energy there.

I wouldn’t expect or even ask about the school to replacing the phone.

Original poster
CumbrianYorkshireHybrid · 28/11/2023 21:30

ZenNudist · 28/11/2023 21:21

Agree. Also teach your DD to be more cautious with her belongings.

Years ago there used to be ads teaching people not to leave property unattended. I remember one of a woman nicking another woman's bag from workplace or in a toilet.

I don't understand how she's got to 6th form and not know this. I gave ds the lecture on this entering secondary school. Less about keeping an eye on his phone (which wouldn't be allowed out in the library at our school sixth form) but just about light fingers and nickable cash and tech.

I wouldn't be in a rush to replace like with like. She needs to live with consequences.

Theft situation sounds very bizarre and dramatic. I'd be raising it with the school and demanding answers. It could have been much worse than a stolen phone.

Show quote history

Really? She wasn't irresponsible in any way. The phone was on the desk she was working at, literally 10cm from her left hand. A strange man in a school setting used a distraction technique on a 17yo, committed a crime and you think she's to blame?

OP posts:
bananabellini · 28/11/2023 21:31

To be honest OP, I'd be straight onto Ofsted, this is a major safeguarding breach. I don't know if the rules are different for 6th form colleges, but in all the schools I've worked in, having an unidentified stranger on the premises absolutely should not be able to happen, and serious questions need to be asked about their security and safeguarding processes. Not sure how much luck you'll have getting the school to contribute to replacing the phone, but frankly, there are far bigger issues here. Hope your daughter is doing okay, how scary for her!