Mordaunt: military schools help children at risk of gang crime
CHILDREN at risk of falling into gang and knife crime could benefit from military schools, the Defence Secretary has said.
In a speech to defence chiefs from around the world at the Land Warfare Conference in London, Penny Mordaunt hailed the success of Britain’s Military Preparation Colleges in helping young people at risk of falling out of the education system.
The colleges for young people from the age of 15, many excluded from mainstream education, provide schooling based on military principles and seek to develop physical fitness and self-confidence. Most of the teachers previously served in the Armed Forces.
Students can earn GCSES and vocational qualifications and many join the services.
The colleges “have given some youngsters options where they had none”, the Defence Secretary said.
“I believe it is time to use the skills and lessons learned at these colleges and elsewhere in the Army to address this national blight of gangs and weapons on our streets.” she added.
“It’s about their physical fitness and mental attitude as well as academic results and practical skills that they are learning. I think we have a huge amount to offer to that problem.”
Figures released earlier this year showed that knife crime was at record levels in England and Wales, but as few as a fifth of offenders are being charged.
The number of knife offences rose by 6 per cent last year to 40,829, equivalent to more than 110 a day and the highest level since records began in 2008-09.
The military colleges “enthused those other education establishments fail to inspire”, Ms Mordaunt said.
“The contribution defence makes to the nation is immense and we do need to keep that well understood.”
In April, Sajid Javid, the Home Secretary, said he was “very concerned” about the “huge rise” in serious violence including knife crime, adding: “I wish there was one single thing that could be done that would bring it down dramatically. But there’s not one thing, I think we need action on many fronts.”