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Read about the successful implementation of a crime reduction strategy in Mayfield School and the community, showcasing significant improvements in reducing crime, disorder, and anti-social behavior.
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School Vandalism, School Bullying, School Rules? Safer Schools Partnership Strategies With Mayfield School and Hampshire Constabulary Reducing Crime and Disorder in the Community Police Constable Marcus Cator and Steve Hawkins
WHY ! Mayfield School is the largest secondary school for youths aged 11 to 16 years of age in Portsmouth, historically suffering from a reputation of persistent antisocial behaviour and was considered a magnet for criminal activity. Mayfield was a school which parents did not wish to send their children too. It was in “Special Measures” after the last inspection by Ofsted, schools inspectorate. Crime in the district of Copnor was identified through scanning and customer surveys, as causing a significant fear of crime in the community. Mayfield School was identified as being at the heart of the problem.
Scanning • Portsmouth City is the 3rd most densely populated City in Europe with up to 450,000 people on the island at any one time. • According to national statistics in 2001 the resident population of Copnor measured 13,303 of which 22.3% were below 16 years of age, compared to the national average of 20.2%. In 2003 the population had risen to 16,490. • The average number of crimes recorded at all 10 secondary schools in Portsmouth over 2 years was 40. • Mayfield School had 96 crimes reported within the same time frame • This project was designed to reduce crime and disorder within Mayfield and the community • Partnership strategy identified and established to tackle the concerns identified
The Area to Tackle Copnor and North End Portsmouth
Analysis • Analyst support identified police costs of response and investigation into 96 crimes at Mayfield School over 2 years was approximately £42,000 ($79,000 U.S.) • Incidents reported involved “Nuisance or Youth concerns” with large groups of 40 – 50 roaming the streets, drunk, abusive, aggressive, causing damage and crime. • Community surveys established a fear of crime dependant upon the youth culture and their persistent misbehaviour • A significant lack of communication and understanding between agencies identified a lack of intelligence exchange. • National Intelligence Model and National Crime Recording Standards not being met.
Details Of Analysis As a snapshot of time we saw that from 01/01/2004 – 07/07/2004 there were 67 incidents reported to Police at Mayfield School, 48 incidents during school hours, 19 outside of hours. These consisting of:- Assaults x 3 Public Order incidents x 4 Burglary x 5 Missing children x 3 Intrusion and damage to the site x 22 Alarm activations x 4 Thefts of mobile phones and bicycles x 26
The Underlying Causes • Issue 1 - Assaults / Bullying within school • Issue 2 - Crime and damage on site during and after hours causing • general Anti Social Behaviour in the area. • Issue 3 - Theft within Schools. • Issue 4 - Exclusion and Truancy
Response Improved Partnerships between organisations Communication with the student body Introduction of established crime reduction strategies Positive media support marketing success to the community
Issue 1 - Assaults / Bullying in Schools • Advertising a “No Bullying Campaign”. • Posters in corridors with names and contact details of key individuals. • Information available on the School website. • Adopting a Multi-agency approach to dealing with incidents. • Students encouraged to report bullying. • Counseling services for perpetrators. • Appropriate rule setting, set up and maintained. • Mentors utilised from existing school council and support put in • place for victims.
Issue 2 - Crime and damage on site during and after hours • General Anti Social Behaviour in the area. • Application for a Designated area in order to Disperse problem groups, increased Police patrols and community engagement. • Upgrading site security • Improved CCTV • Raising awareness of the problems and taking ownership • Re-securing the site.
Issue 3 - Theft within Schools. • Tackle Mobile phone thefts, currently 2 a week stolen • Tackle theft of bicycles, currently 2 a month stolen • Tackle theft of staff personal property • Use recognised schemes • Property Marking • Personal Ownership • Students taking responsibility in school • Taking the responsibility home
Issue 4 - Exclusion and Truancy • Partnership strategies within schools • Counselling and advice service • Regular patrols identifying key offenders • Targeted approach through intelligence • Parents taking ownership
Assessment as of Sept 2005, 2 Years later. 39% reduction in Police attendance to the school 95% reduction in thefts of Mobile phones 100% reduction in Criminal Damage 36% reduction in Police investigation costs 42% reduction in student exclusions
Benefits to date Acceptance and recognition by the youth as a part of their culture Improved relations with all members of the partnership National Intelligence Model and National Crime Recording Standards are fully supported Community have identified less crime Accountability to the community Local, County and National recognition for the work In 2005 investigations had reduced by 36%. An efficiency saving of £4793.40 ($9,015.49 US) for the Police after a significant rise in reporting of crime in 2004.
Lessons Learned Agreed protocol needs to be identified at the early stages Do not promise what you cannot deliver You must have the right person for the job The youths can see right through you Respect yourself and learn to respect others Punishment is not a cure
USEFUL REFERENCE SITES www.crimereduction.gov.uk/ssh01.htm www.popcenter.org/Problems/problem-bullying.htm www.crimereduction.gov.uk/nim1.pdf www.together.gov.uk/category.asp?c=185 www.crimereduction.gov.uk/stolengoods3.htm www.socialexclusionunit.gov.uk/downloaddoc.asp?id=65 www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/sie/documents/revised2005guidance.pdf www.popcenter.org/Problems/problem-vandalism.htm www.popcenter.org/problems.htm www.popcenter.org/library.htm
Thank you for your attention, we hope you feel enthused and empowered Marcus Cator and Steve Hawkins marcus.cator@hampshire.pnn.police.uk stephen.hawkins@hampshire.pnn.police.uk