Headteachers invited out on patrol to help tackle anti-social teenagers

Headteachers at schools from around Stockport have been invited to join officers on patrol in known troublespots on Friday and Saturday nights. After a spate of reports of crime in Stockport, police aim to provide a "more familiar authority figure" to anti-social teenagers.

Insp Stephen Gilbertson, of Greater Manchester Police, said the plan was to run the scheme across the borough. If successful, it could be rolled out across Greater Manchester.

Insp Gilbertson said: "The idea is if the police turn up and a teacher also gets out of the vehicle it will provide a short, sharp shock. It might be the wake-up call they need and it is an authority figure that youngsters will recognise and know so could defuse a situation".

"We have a zero-tolerance approach to this sort of behaviour and most schools have signed up to it."

Mike Gledhill, headteacher at Kingsway School in Cheadle, worked with police in a pilot version of the scheme two years ago. He said he was fully behind the extended version, which will coincide with Halloween and Bonfire night - periods where anti-social behaviour traditionally increases. Mr Gledhill said: "We are always happy to work with the police and very keen to support this.

It can send out a powerful message when police, schools and families are seen to be working together."

Read the rest of this story from The Telegraph, here

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