WALTHAM FOREST: School crime levels revealed (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WALTHAM FOREST: School crime levels revealed

1:39pm Wednesday 15th October 2008 in News

VIOLENT attacks have taken place at two thirds of secondary schools and colleges in Waltham Forest in the past year, the Guardian can reveal.

Police seized a gun from Chingford Foundation School, a knife was recovered from Holy Family College, Walthamstow, and a woman was allegedly sexually assaulted at Waltham Forest College, information obtained under the Freedom of Information Act has shown.

In the last year, grievous and actual bodily harm incidents have taken place at 64 per cent of secondary schools, eight per cent of primary schools and one third of further education colleges suffered attacks.

The figures do not say whether children or adults have been the victims or perpetrators of these crimes.

Robin Jones, Waltham Forest College principal, said a student had been assaulted by thugs while waiting for a bus outside the college two years ago.

He added: “While that was a serious incident I would stress they are very rare. But we will not be complacent about tackling crime on our grounds.”

Mike Jervis, the Active Change Foundation's gangs and violence strategist, said: “My view would be that schools are willing to open up their doors as to what is going on inside.

“There are already police who are there for pupils to talk to but there needs to be more talks about violent crime. We need to demystify the knife. Parents also need to be involved.”

Iain Duncan Smith, MP for Chingford, said: “I’m amazed at the level of violent crime in our schools. Schools should be a place of learning not violence. What are the police doing about it?”

Yvonne Bailey, whose son was attacked by other pupils when he changed schools, said: “The Government needs to do more to help young people. My son would like to get a job but can’t because he’s not 16 and can’t get a P45.

“Maybe the Government should lower the age for young people to get work. This would give them something to do and stop them from hanging around on street corners.

“Increasing the number of youth clubs in the borough would help too.”

Inspector Mike Hamer said: “We would like a dedicated police officer in every secondary school and are working with partners to explore ways of fulfiling this ambition.”

The statistics also reveal that 35 per cent of primary schools were burgled during the year and 47 per cent of secondary schools.