Police have defended a six-fold increase in officers stationed in UK schools, saying it’s necessary to ensure safety. The latest figures from the Home Office show that there were 382 police officers in secondary schools at the end of June this year, compared to just 62 at the start of 2018. This is an increase of more than 600%.
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The rise has been partially attributed to concerns raised by parents over their children’s safety after several terror attacks and other incidents. It is also thought that the presence of police officers is helping to reduce bullying and low-level crime among students.
Assistant Chief Constable Marcus Beale said: “We are committed to ensuring our young people feel safe as they go about their studies.
“The number of school officers has increased as we respond to parents, school staff and pupils’ concerns. We will continue to work closely with our partners to ensure that schools are safe places for everyone.”
However, some have criticized the move, saying that it could be seen as a “militarization” of schools and that the money could be better spent elsewhere.
Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Layla Moran said: “The government should invest in youth services, not militarizing our schools.
“This significant increase in police officers in our schools is deeply worrying. It sends the wrong message to young people about how the police and society view them.”
Police have responded to this criticism, saying that officers are trained to engage with young people, help them make positive choices, and provide reassurance to staff and students. They also pointed out that they are not armed while on school premises.
The police presence in UK schools is likely to remain high, with officers continuing to work closely with school staff and students to keep them safe. However, it is hoped that the increased police presence will lead to a reduction in crime rates among young people, as well as provide reassurance for parents and teachers. Only time will tell if this strategy has been successful.
The debate over the role of police officers in UK schools continues with no clear consensus in sight. It’s an issue which requires careful consideration from both sides before any real progress can be made. For now, the authorities have decided that having more police on school premises is necessary and it looks set to stay that way for the foreseeable future.
What do you think of this debate?
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