ACPO response to Howard League for Penal Reform comments on police in schools

ACPO lead on children and young people Temporary Chief Jacqui Cheer said:

“Police involvement in schools, whether it be officers engaging with schools through delivering talks and interactive sessions on drugs or anti-social behaviour or police officers based in schools under the Safer Schools Partnerships (SSP), aims to prevent children and young people becoming victims or offenders of crime.

“Police working with schools has numerous benefits such as reducing anti-social behaviour and criminality in and around schools, identifying and working with potential victims and offenders, intervening early to prevent bad behaviour developing into criminality and providing specific, relevant crime prevention advice. It also works to make the police more accessible to young people and can break down the barriers between police and young people that can be ingrained in some communities.

“The recent public perceptions of the police statistics show a positive relationship between police and children and young people: 89 per cent of 10-15 year olds agreed that the police will help you if you need them, 76 per cent agree the police are helpful and friendly to young people and 70 per cent agree that the police understand young people’s problems. These positive figures are a result of the community engagement work that police forces undertake with young people, including within the school setting.”

Crime Survey England and Wales findings on public perceptions of policing- http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/crime-stats/crime-statistics/focus-on-public-perceptions-of-policing--findings-from-the-2011-12-crime-survey-for-england-and-wales/index.html

For more information please contact:

ACPO Press Office
Association of Chief Police Officers
e: press.office@acpo.pnn.police.uk