More than 1,000 crimes reported in schools and colleges since 2012
Published date: 22 August 2016 |
Published by: Owen Evans Read more articles by Owen Evans Email reporter
MORE than a thousand crimes, including sexual assault, robbery and violence have been recorded in the region’s schools and colleges since 2012.
North Wales Police investigated a total of 1,053 crimes which were reported in education facilities across Wrexham and Flintshire between 2012 and 2015, figures have shown.
The statistics, which showed that the vast majority of crimes remained unsolved, were uncovered by the Leader using Freedom of Information laws.
A total of 556 crimes were recorded in schools and colleges in Wrexham while 497 were recorded in Flintshire.
In response to the figures, Inspector Julie Sheard, of North Wales Police, said: “We in North Wales are fortunate to have dedicated School Community Police Officers in every primary and secondary school who deliver a broad spectrum of lessons focusing on substance misuse, safety and behaviour.
“While we have an obligation to record a crime, a large proportion are dealt under the principles of the Schoolbeat Policy, which offers early intervention opportunities for lower level crime in order to prevent young people entering the Criminal Justice System.
“We also always seek to utilise restorative approaches to deal with harm and to repair relationships when appropriate.
“Our approach assists in standardising the response to all incidents in schools, including equality, diversity and safeguarding.”
According to the figures, a total of 345 crimes were listed as being “undetected” while in the case of 241 crimes, all lines of enquiry were exhausted.
A total of 47 crimes resulted in a caution and 74 resulted in somebody being charged.
In the case of 16 crimes, those that carried them out were under 10 years-of-age, meaning they were under the level of criminal responsibility.
Most of these cases involved crimes of violence, but there were two of sexual assault and one of arson.
Overall, many of the crimes recorded over the four-year period were incidents of theft, burglary, assaults and arson attacks.
Most also took place in primary and secondary schools within the county.
Ian Budd, chief officer for education and youth at Flintshire Council, said: “Thankfully, crime incidents in Flintshire schools are relatively low, this is due to proactive support in ensuring schools are safe and secure through initiatives such has target-hardening, crime-reporting and arson awareness programmes.
“The council will continue to actively support school governors with North Wales Police and Fire Service and other agencies to reduce incidents of unwanted and unnecessary crime and antisocial behaviour which are of concern to schools and local communities.”
Wrexham Council did not respond to a request for comment.
see-http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/165783/more-than-1-000-crimes-reported-in-schools-and-colleges-since-2012.aspx
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