Successful Clyde Valley High ‘campus cop’ pilot scheme to be scrapped due to council cut backs

Jan 27 2010 by Graham Miller, Wishaw Press

THE successful campus cop pilot scheme at Clyde Valley High – highly commended in a report and described as making an “outstanding contribution’ to the school” – has been scrapped by North Lanarkshire Council.

The initiative has been axed by council officials desperate to claw back cash in an attempt to balance books.

It will be ditched when funding runs out in April.

Launched in 2007 amid some controversy, the aim of the project – which was also introduced in two other North Lanarkshire high schools – was to help divert young people from potential crime and create a more positive view of the police in the community.

The scheme – which costs around £48,500 each year, with NLC providing two thirds of the funding and Strathclyde Police the rest – quickly proved a resounding success, providing what the council described as “positive, proactive and pastoral support” to pupils.

The initiative was also instrumental in developing and building a relationship between the school’s pupils and the law. Indeed, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education was so impressed by the scheme that a special mention was given in Clyde Valley’s most recent assessment in November 2008.

Described within the report as an “example of good practice” it highlighted the “outstanding contribution made by the campus police officer to young people’s wellbeing and achievements in the school.”

Elsewhere in the assessment it stated: “The campus police officer has contributed very positively to the school’s work in this area. His appointment has helped improve young people’s feelings of being safe in the school.”

Embarrassingly for NLC, a council report from last July concluded that the introduction of a campus police officer had been an overwhelming success at Clyde Valley. It highlighted how the scheme’s preventative approach had helped curb truancy, prevent shop-lifting, smoking, vandalism and litter dropping. And there was a “unanimous view” among parents, pupils, staff and officials that the initiative should continue beyond the initial three-year period.

However, the council have chosen to ignore this and will no longer provide their £32,301 annual share of the funding.

Jane Liddell, head of education quality and development, said: “North Lanarkshire Council, in common with every Scottish local authority, are facing at least four years of budget reductions as a result of public spending cuts imposed in the wake of the global financial crisis and a reduction in settlement from the Scottish Executive.

“In addition to the £15 million efficiency savings next year, the council are expected to make budget reductions totalling at least £60 million in the following three years to 2014.

“The current campus police officers pilot operating in three secondary schools is funded until April 2010 by both the council and Strathclyde Police. The council currently contribute 66 per cent of the total funding which, at end of the pilot, will be removed from the budget.

“Following discussions with our partners in Strathclyde Police and an assessment of this pilot programme, further considerations will be given to future opportunities. The council have been in discussions with Strathclyde Police to develop a different model that could be rolled out across selected secondary schools based on the very positive evaluation of the campus police development.”

Clyde Valley head teacher Ian Sommerville said: “ I’m hopeful a model can be developed that will see us build on the very positive relationships we’ve now forged with the police and that Craig Ritchie, our campus officer, can still contribute to the life of the school.”

Chief Superintendent Graham Cairns, the police divisional commander, said: “The community policing team for the area is doing a fantastic job and a key part of its responsibility is to look after the schools throughout Wishaw. The officers are continuing to build relationships in communities and will actively encourage young people to play a part in this process. I have every confidence in the work the officers are doing and I know that they are aware of the importance of regular visits to our educational establishments. We continue to offer opportunities for youngsters to get involved in local initiatives and the success of projects like Score Goals has given them the chance to get to know more about the police service and our partner agencies.”