ONE in three Merseyside schools now has its own police officer permanently on site in a bid to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour.

Under the scheme, uniform-ed officers maintain a high-profile at the school gates at the start and end of each day, and during break times.

Merseyside police deny it is because of an increase in criminal behaviour among youngsters. They say the aim is instead to prevent children and young people lapsing into crime by building up trust between police officers and the local community.

The recent recruitment of an extra 13 schools officers has now brought the total up to 36. The aim is eventually to have dedicated officers for all Merseyside’s 116 secondary schools and primary schools.

The extra officers are being provided from funds approved by local authorities and Merseyside Police Authority.

Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe said: “We want to ensure young people don’t embark on a life in crime and enter the criminal justice system. Once that happens, it’s really hard to stop it. By working in schools, these officers have a great opportunity to build trust, to work with parents, and reduce crime and anti-social behav-iour around schools. It also helps reduce truancy, exclu-sions, and improve safety perceptions for young people, parents and staff.”

Mr Hogan-Howe denied the presence of full-time police officers in schools meant that the education system had lost control of pupils.

He said: “There are differ-ent opportunities for crime, and different opportunities for us to get better. If we can build a relationship with the school, if we can look after pupils in that environment and make them safe, they have a better opportunity for success in life.”

He said there was a waiting list of schools which wanted a full-time officer, adding: “This is a long term initiative designed to break down barriers and build up trust with young people.

One schools officer is Geoff Sullivan, based at Shorefields Technology College in Dingle for nearly six years. He said: “When parents first saw me at the school gates, they were quite horrified and thought their children were entering a war zone.

“It took a year or so before I was accepted by the children, but now they know they can come to me if they’ve got a problem. If I can’t solve it, I can refer them to someone who can.”

Two new recruits are Marg-aret Howard, who recently started at Prescot High School, and Carl Hignett, now based at Meols Cop High School in Southport.

PC Hignett said: “I’ve al-ready taken assemblies to give children safety advice in the run-up to Halloween and Bonfire Night.”

OPINION: PAGE 12

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