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Schools guidance rolls out across the city as a positive approach to anti-social behaviour.

A joint Northumbria Police and Newcastle City Council pilot project in three schools in January was so successful it is now being put in place at state secondary schools across Newcastle.

The guidance: A Positive Approach to the Management of Anti-Social Behaviour in Schools, sets out what action the school should take when dealing with anti-social behaviour and when the police need to get involved.

Graded Response

It works on a graded response system for dealing with incidents, ranging from minor disruption through to the most serious assaults or drug dealing. At each level there are standardised actions to be carried out by either the school, police or both.

The system works both ways, so pupils who come to police attention outside school may also have details about them fed back to designated staff at their school, usually the assistant head teacher. Since the start of the project there have been just 11 incidents on the most serious end of the scale.

PC Ed Ward, from Newcastle Area Command, who developed the protocol, said: "The pilot project proved that this system works very well and it was always our intention to roll it out further. We've already had interest from other forces who are keen to develop similar guidelines with their schools. It helps everyone if the same course of action is being followed when dealing with anti-social behaviour.

"This guidance is for the benefit of all pupils in Newcastle and their parents. It's not just aimed at tackling the small minority who are disruptive in the classroom, it looks to support victims of anti-social behaviour as well. The safety of all staff and pupils is our main priority."

Andy Foster, lead education welfare officer at Newcastle City Council, said: "We are working hard to reduce anti-social behaviour and increase awareness of it. The main purpose is to keep children and staff safe in school. This leads to a better and safer teaching and learning environmnet for all."

Neighbourhood Management

Councillor Gareth Cooper, Executive member for Neighbourhood Management and Community at Newcastle City Council, said: "This joint initiative between the schools, the council and the police is an excellent partnership for addressing an issue which can be difficult to tackle successfully.

"It has helped the pilot schools deal with the minority of anti-social pupils while making the majority feel safe and helping them reach their potential.

"The initiative challenges anti-social behaviour at all levels and reinforces to young people and parents that all agencies are committed to working together to promote improved behaviour both in schools and in the community."

Kevin McGready, the Anti-Social Behaviour Co-ordinator for Safe Newcastle added: "Safe Newcastle supports a balanced, proportionate approach to anti-social behaviour which includes targeted enforcement, education, support and diversion options that can not only reduce crime but increase community confidence.

"This protocol in schools is a vital element in our partners' response to anti-social behaviour as it provides a proportionate, graded response that ensures that cases are dealt with appropriately."

The scheme also has support from headteachers. Westgate Community College Headteacher Jim Farnie said: "Pupils now have a better understanding of what anti-social behaviour is and its consequences which has led to a reduction in the number of incidents."

Walbottle Campus Technology College headteacher Paul Sampson added: "This initiative is an excellent example of successful partnership working. It goes hand in hand with the school's behaviour policy in that students are aware there are consequences for their actions."

Kenton Community College assistant head Norman Hutington said: "The ASB initiative supports school disciplinary procedures by providing a link between what is unacceptable behaviour both inside and outside of school."

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