Catalogue of crime in town’s schools (From This Is Wiltshire)

Catalogue of crime in town’s schools

9:20am Thursday 29th January 2009 in Latest News By Sarah Hilley

EVERY two days a child commits a crime against a fellow pupil in Swindon’s secondary schools.

Figures obtained by the Adver reveal a shocking catalogue of violence, theft, racism and general anti-social behaviour in schools.

Police were called into the Swindon’s secondaries to investigate a total of 337 crimes, according to the Freedom of Information statistics.

The figures show that cops dealt with the highest number of crimes at Churchfields School (58) followed by 52 at Ridgeway, where pupil Henry Webster was attacked with a hammer. However, incidents in both schools have halved between November 2007 and November 2008.

The figures reveal that between November 2006 and the same month in 2008, police dealt with 139 cases of violence – the most common crime at schools, followed by 100 thefts, 37 incidents of criminal damage and 24 burglaries, among other offences.

Churchfields head teacher Steve Flavin said: “Churchfields School has a positive working relationship with the police in Swindon who have supported our education programmes. This is part of their work with us in educating young people. All schools will, from time to time, need to call on the support of the police.”

The school has erected a high fence and put up CCTV cameras around the school, which has also increased security and led to a crime drop. Churchfields also practices restorative justice where victims meet offenders – a practise praised by the police.

Nova Hreod had the third highest crime rates among secondaries in Swindon with 42 incidents, next is Dorcan Technology College, which experienced 39 offences followed by Kingsdown School with 38.

Prospective Conservative MP Robert Buckland and governor at Ridgeway School said changing the timetable at the Wroughton facility and banning mobile phones has brought misbehaviour down there.

“There are always going to be a few children who will cause misbehaviour in schools but staff can change how the school is organised to reduce those opportunities,” he said.

Swindon Academy was among schools with fewer offences with 22 crimes.

Principal Jan Shadick said: “At Swindon Academy we have a clear and consistent Behaviour for Learning policy which is applied by our staff and our students respond positively. The quality of our teaching continues to improve and when students are engaged in lessons behavioural issues are reduced.”

Coun Garry Perkins, cabinet member for children’s services, said it was difficult for him to comment without more specific figures and the number of prosecutions from the incidents.

“I’d be concerned if there was one, but it happens.”

He added that it did show that at least the schools had a good relationship with the police and felt they could call them in if necessary.