ON a visit to Edith Weston, I stopped off to talk about how the police can work with schools and others to help educate the next generation about what the police do. That is a productive way to help ensure that our youngsters grow up to be responsible members of society. In particular I would like the police to:
- Ensure that each school has a designated police officer to build positive relationships between the police and youngsters;
- Ensure that each school is visited regularly so that police can engage with the pupils on road safety and other safeguarding issues;
- Investigate introducing a Mini Police scheme to junior schools;
Meanwhile, it is sadly true that children and teenagers are among the most vulnerable in society. They may fall victim to accidents through inexperience, or be preyed upon by criminals, sexual predators and others of evil intent. I want to see the police:
- Proactively engage with social services and other partners to identify and tackle problems affecting teenagers;
- Work with the universities in our city and two counties to address issues affecting students;
- Continue with the successful Police Cadets scheme;
- Continue with the programme of successful educational resources such as the “Kayleigh’s Love Story” video;
- Continue to work with the Children and Young People’s Justice Service and other partners to reduce offending and reoffending;
- Promote prevention and early intervention to protect children from abuse and harm;
- Encourage professionals such as teachers, doctors and social workers to look for signs of abuse and exploitation;
- Encourage awareness campaigns for young people to improve understanding of healthy relationships;
- Seek to bring more perpetrators of abuse and grooming to justice;
- Continue with the existing child and vulnerability strategies.
