Sergeant Lisa to help keep schools safe

5.24.00pm GMT Sat 6th Feb 2010

• A NEW sergeant has been appointed to help reduce the fear of crime and improve even further relations between police, schools and pupils in the borough.

As part of the Safer Schools programme, all secondaries, and virtually every primary, in the borough now has a dedicated police liaison officer. Sergeant Lisa Turner will now be responsible for their work in building confidence among pupils so they can ask police for help rather than being daunted by them. Sgt Turner said: "Now there's an officer for every school, I hope the children will get to know and feel they can approach them, as well as their teachers, if they have any worries or are looking for information about keeping their property safe." Sgt Turner's appointment, which is supported by both Richmond Council and the police, will mean that the dedicated officers, who are part of the Safer Neighbourhood Teams in each ward in the borough can co-ordinate their work and share ideas.

Cllr David Williams, Richmond Council's Cabinet Member for Communities, said: "I'm glad to hear that all of our schools have a police officer. The added benefit is that when the PCSOs are not in school, when they're out on patrol in the evenings and at weekends, the children will recognise and trust them. One of the best ways of keeping Richmond upon Thames the safest borough in London is by helping the police to get as close to their communities as possible. The officers will help to challenge the occasional outbreaks of unacceptable behaviour like bullying, as well as being able to work with teachers to tackle truancy and make sure schools are safe for everyone."

Chf Insp Dave Henfrey, from Richmond upon Thames Police, said: "Policing works best when the community trusts their local officers. Introducing them to children and their families at school is a useful way to build those links and to break down any barriers. Part of the reason our crime levels are low is that our officers have good relations with the community - people know if they report a crime it will be fully investigated."

School panels will be set up to agree priorities for each officer. They will also give assemblies and get involved in lessons to give community safety advice, as well as raising awareness of what the police do in the community. They will be taking part in the youth crime conference, due to take place in late February and will work at building relations with parents. In addition, they will work with the junior safety officers at the primary schools.