School Watch

A scheme which encourages residents to keep an eye on their local school has been launched in Conwy and Denbighshire.

In conjunction with the Conwy and Denbighshire Community Safety Partnership, the School Watch initiative aims to get parents, residents, teachers as well as the emergency services and the local authorities working together to keep schools and the immediate surrounding area safe and free from crime and anti-social behaviour.

Throughout the school holidays the North Wales Police helicopter will keep a close eye on the schools to ensure that there are no problems.

Today (Thursday 10th July) primary school pupils at Abergele met officers from the local neighbourhood policing team, police helicopter, Arson Reduction Team and the education department of the local authority.

Community Safety Officer Ifan Hughes said: "With schools about to close over the summer holidays we are urging members of the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour they see around school premises.

"Previously there have been incidents where school buildings have been subject to vandalism and graffiti. We're simply asking people who live near a school to be extra vigilant and to report any suspicious behaviour to officers.

He added: "This is something that we can all get involved with, so if you live near a school, or live in a house that overlooks a school or even if you walk or drive past a school, then you can help."

Susan Williams, Arson Reduction Manager for the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: "Historically schools have suffered from incidents such as deliberate fires and vandalism and this partnership approach aims to tackle the problems before they occur."

Over 4,000 leaflets and posters have been distributed throughout Conwy and Denbighshire reminding people of the scheme to help stamp-out this mindless act which not only affects the school, but the whole community.

Deputy Headteacher of Ysgol St Elfod, Christine Evans-Lunt said: "This is a true example of partnership working. The more we can work with parents and other members of the community to try and prevent criminal damage to the school, the less likely the possibility of any disruption to the children and their education."

Anyone who witnesses any suspicious behaviour in or around schools or school buildings is asked to contact North Wales Police on 0845 607 1001 (Welsh line) 0845 607 1002 (English line) or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• North
• Wales
• Police
• School
• Watch
• schoolwatch
• Abergele
• Fire
• Service
• Partnership
• Conwy
• Arson
• crimestoppers
• local
• vandalism