The Metropolitan Police's Service's air support unit landed a helicopter in the grounds of Archbishop Lanfranc School in Croydon last week as part of Operation Safeguard which is aimed at reducing burglary in schools.

Schools in the borough that have fallen victim to burglary in recent weeks will have tracking technology equipment installed on IT equipment to help prevent them falling prey to thieves again.

Since January 2005, 53 schools have been broken into in Croydon. With the new technology police say they will be able to activate the tracking equipment and trace those responsible.

Posters designed by students from the Brit School warning thieves that valuables are protected will also be displayed in schools taking part in the operation.

Inspector Ian Barry from Croydon police said: "I am confident that using this latest technology we can significantly reduce the amount of burglaries within schools across Croydon."

He added: "It is the education of the youngsters that is suffering as the schools often have to wait for replacement technology to arrive following a burglary."