Campus cops’ base will be high schools

Tackling safety issues

Police officers could be based at secondary schools as part of council plans to “address safety issues within school communities”.

Agreement has been reached between the local authority and Police Scotland for eight officers to set up a home in six North Lanarkshire schools.

A decision on the plans was set to be finalised at a council education committee meeting yesterday.

The “first phase” of the project would see an officer based at St Margaret’s High to cover that school plus Caldervale High and Airdrie Academy; with another officer based at Coatbridge High also covering St Andrew’s and St Ambrose in the town.

The news comes after our front page story last week about a 13-yearold schoolgirl suffering a sustained campaign by bullies.

However the plans are not aimed at any specific concern, but take into evidence the “positive impact police officers can have when interacting with young people”.

The project would be funded jointly by Police Scotland and the local authority, with an overall cost of £320,000.

The education, youth and communities department proposes to use cash from the Scottish attainment challenge fund, subject to confirmation of “an alignment with the Scottish Government’s grant criteria”.

Officers would cover schools during term-time and return to normal shift patterns during school holidays.

The pre- meeting report also revealed the role of the officers will include working closely with teaching staff to deal with current issues and identify emerging issues.

They would also help young people engage in positive behaviour and steer away from anti-social activity and crime; support them to make more positive lifestyle choices, and address issues in a preventative way to deal with tackling bullying, providing regular educational input on drugs, alcohol, internet safety and other relevant issues.”

Isabelle Boyd, the council’s assistant chief executive for education, youth and communities, said: “The proposed introduction of a new partnership with Police Scotland represents a positive step for our schools and communities.

“It is one of many innovative strategies to build support and we believe it is good news for pupils, staff and parents and carers.

“As part of our vision, we are committed to putting schools at the heart of the communities we serve and the support of all our community planning partners is essential to this.

“Police Scotland will have a key role to play in the development, promoting community safety and helping young people engage in positive behaviour.

“This groundbreaking scheme will be implemented in all our secondary schools.”

Positive impact Police officers may be installed in the area’s secondary schools