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Primary schools get PCSOs
POLICE Community Support Officers (PCSOs) will be seconded to all Islington primary schools from next term – the biggest ever such initiative in the UK.
It is hoped the officers, semi-civilian back-up to the regular police, will nip in the bid any hint of criminal aspirations in children as young as eight.
Eighteen of the officers will work in the borough’s schools during term time and help out local Safer Neighbourhoods teams during the school holidays.
It is the first time such a large, dedicated force has been dispatched into primary schools.
Last night (Thursday), Sue Seifert, Islington’s longest-serving headteacher, gave her backing to the scheme.
As well as spotting children at risk of slipping into criminal behaviour, the PCSO’s duties will include sitting in on classes and assemblies, teaching children about making good judgements, staying safe and the dangers of drugs and chatting to strangers online.
Crucially, it means they will break down the barriers between youngsters and the police before they become to old and sink into an ‘us and them’ mentality.
There will even be fun lunchtime and after-school “detective clubs”.
Each PCSO will be dedicated to four borough primary schools.
A few have already spent time in schools and met with parents and teachers.
The full compliment will be ready by the end of this month.
The new tactics will be run through the Safer Schools initiative, headed by Inspector John Frost, where a number of constables are already seconded to secondary schools.
Lorraine Dinnegan, mother of 14-year-old Martin who was stabbed to death two weeks ago, backed the initiative.
She said: “I think it is a good idea but it needs to be kept strong and persistent and be followed through.
“If there’s a child showing signs of criminality their parents and other services need to get involved as well.”
Chief Superintendent Bob Carr, Islington’s borough commander, said: “What we need to do is get through to these kids at an early age.
“But it also revolves around parenting. If you start working with kids and parents then hopefully you’ll get to their point where their children don’t end up in trouble in two or three years time.
“It’s about telling parents how we can help them and get kids back on track, telling them about the consequences of their actions.
“You need to help some kids of eight who are on the cusp (of criminality) but are innocent children in the eyes of the law.”
The Town Hall is paying £560,000 for 14 PCSOs over two years and Arsenal Football Club is funding the remaining four.
Sue Seifert, award-winning headteacher of Montem primary school, in Hornsey Road, Holloway, said: “The PCSOs are going to come in to assemblies and lessons and also attend coffee mornings with parents.
“We hope that when they see the PCSOs, children will see them as part of the school and are here to help.”
She added: “But bringing up kids is 75 per cent down to the parents and they need to lead by example.
“It’s about not letting them stay out all night and making them feel safe and not being in a gang.
Councillor Marisha Ray, the council’s community safety chief, said:
“The new officers are working with primary schools and the local neighbourhood on a wide range of issues, like combating fear and causes of crime, preventing any bullying and advising on safer transport routes.
“I’m sure parents and pupils will welcome the new PCSOs, and they will quickly become key members of the local community.” |
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