Safer Schools Partnerships

The Safer School Partnerships programme, launched in September
2002, is a joint initiative between the Department for Education
and Skills, the Youth Justice Board and the Association of Chief
Police Officers.

All partnerships involved in the programme have a police officer
based in their schools who works with school staff and other local
agencies to:

* reduce victimisation, criminality and antisocial behaviour within
the school and its community
* develop whole-school approaches to behaviour and discipline
* identify and work with children and young people at risk of
becoming victims or offenders
* ensure the full-time education of young offenders
* support vulnerable children and young people through periods of
transition, such as the move from primary to secondary school
* create a safer environment for children to learn in

Under the programme, there are currently 370 police officers based
in selected schools in England and Wales in areas with high levels
of street crime.