1
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
2
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.
3
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
4
The Area to Tackle
Portsmouth
Copnor and North End
5
Problem Area Residents were concerned by:%[1]of
residents
Valid response
s[2]
People hanging around on streets 67% (163)
Underage drinking 58% (124)
People using drugs 26% (86)
People dealing drugs 20% (71)
Adults being drunk or rowdy in public 19% (134)
People being robbed or mugged 7% (103)
Noisy neighbours 6% (156)
People being attacked or harassed because of their race or colour
2% (91)
People sleeping on the street or in other public places
1% (135)
Loud parties 1% (154)
Prostitution 0% (99)
(For complete survey see Appendix A)
Residents Perception of the Problems
6
Analysts Comparison of Crimes
Graph to show breakdown of key offences recorded by police between 01/01/04 - 01/04/04 for KF 7 beat
41
62
23 6 21
63
5
46 27
109
14
3736
1716
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Vio
lenc
e
Bur
g D
wel
ling
Rob
bery
Dam
age
Dru
gs
Nui
sanc
e (J
uven
ileor
oth
er)
Dom
estic
Dis
turb
ance
Violence
Sexual
Burg Dwelling
Burg Non Dwelling
Robbery
Vehicle Crime
Damage
Theft
Drugs
Deception
Nuisance (J uvenile or other)
Drunkeness
Domestic
Civil/Noise/Neighbour
Disturbance
Sus Persons
7
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.
8
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
9
• Issue 1 - Assaults / Bullying within school
• Issue 2 - Crime and damage on site during and after hours causinggeneral Anti Social Behaviour in the area.
• Issue 3 - Theft within Schools.
• Issue 4 - Exclusion and Truancy
The Underlying Causes
10
Response
Improved Partnerships between organisations
Communication with the student body
Introduction of established crime reduction strategies
Positive media support marketing success to the community
11
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.
12
Issue 2 - Crime and damage on site during and after hoursGeneral 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.
13
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
14
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
15
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
16
Crimes At Mayfield 2001 - 2005
02468
101214161820
Assault Burglary Damage Indecency Misper PublicOrder
Theft Drugs
Offence Type
Crime totals
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
Statistics before and after implementation in 2003
17
18
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.
19
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
20
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.htmwww.popcenter.org/library.htm
21
Thank you for your attention,
we hope you feel enthused and empowered
Marcus Cator and Steve Hawkins