Pupils and teachers express concerns over the «shocking» decision to remove specialist police officers from London schools, fearing an increase in violence and gang exploitation. Education leaders are calling on the Metropolitan Police to reconsider transferring 371 safer schools officers to neighbourhood policing teams. Teachers warn of greater risks of violence, with some students expressing worries about the influx of knives and drugs into schools. Safer schools officers have been instrumental in de-escalating conflicts among students and preventing youth involvement in crime since their introduction in 2009. Headteachers from secondary schools in northeast London have written to the Met Police, highlighting the potential consequences of removing these officers on vulnerable students. Sam Jones, chair of The Waltham Forest Secondary Heads group, emphasized the teachers’ extreme concern over the withdrawal of safer school officers, citing potential increases in violence, bullying, and weapons-related incidents. The decision is seen as a significant setback in addressing gang recruitment and county lines issues. With knife crime reaching a record high in London, the removal of officers could exacerbate the situation, as revealed by a survey showing that nearly one in five secondary school teachers in England have encountered pupils with knives. Students from Footsteps Trust in London expressed fears that the absence of officers could lead to a more violent school environment, with 14-year-old Tyrelle highlighting concerns about the proliferation of knives. London schools concerned over removal of specialist police officers

According to headteachers who spoke to Sky News, London schools are facing a higher risk of «increased violence» and «gang exploitation» due to the decision to transfer 371 safer schools officers into neighbourhood policing teams next month.

Education leaders are urging the Metropolitan Police to reconsider this decision, as they believe it will put pupils at a greater risk of violence. Some students expressed concerns to Sky News that the removal of these officers could lead to an increase in the presence of knives and drugs in schools.

Introduced in 2009, safer schools officers play a crucial role in de-escalating conflicts among students and preventing youth involvement in crime.

A group of 15 headteachers from secondary schools in northeast London wrote a letter to the Met Police expressing their concerns that without the support of safer school officers, vulnerable students may be at risk of exploitation and becoming perpetrators of crime.

Sam Jones, chair of The Waltham Forest Secondary Heads group, stated that teachers were not consulted about the decision to withdraw safer school officers and are extremely concerned about it.

Mr Jones expressed to Sky News that the decision to remove safer school officers is «very misguided» and could lead to an increase in violence, bullying, and weapons-related incidents. He emphasized that these officers play a crucial role in deterring gang recruitment and county lines issues.

«I think this is a huge backward step,» he added.

Knife crime in London reached a record high of 16,521 offences in the year ending September 2024, marking an 18% increase from the previous year, as reported by the Office for National Statistics.

A survey conducted by Sky News among secondary school teachers in England revealed that almost one in five had encountered pupils with knives in schools.

Students from Footsteps Trust in London expressed their concerns that the removal of officers could lead to more violence in schools.

«There will be more knives,» said Tyrelle, 14, in an interview with Sky News. Can you rewrite this sentence for me? Please rewrite this sentence. Can you please rephrase this?

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