New after school patrol to be set up
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
17/11/2008
A brand new after-school patrol is to be set up by the council as it continues to ensure that the streets of Hammersmith and Fulham are safe for everyone.
'On the Streets' will see a youth worker and a specialised police constable working outside Phoenix High School, Burlington Danes Academy, Henry Compton School, Fulham Cross, Hurlingham and Chelsea School and the borough's secondary pupil referral unit on different days of the week.
The staff will be mobile, and able to respond to after-school issues that occur at another school, when necessary. The after school initiative will work from 3pm to 5pm but the service will be on the streets of the borough until 10.30pm.
Funding for this initiative came after the council was awarded a £65,000 government grant aimed at cutting youth crime.
Cllr Greg Smith, cabinet member for crime and anti-social behaviour, said: "We have always said that the best way to cut crime is to get more officers onto the streets and this initiative will do just that. While the vast majority of young people are law-abiding, some do cause problems and we will continue to combat their anti-social behaviour."
The council has been awarded a further £25,000 to provide more weekend activities for young people. The Kickz programme, an established football project run with the 3 football clubs by the Police across the borough, will be extended to run on a Saturday evening between December 2008 and March 2009.
Cllr Smith added: “There are many ways to combat criminal and anti-social behaviour among those young people who have chosen to go down the wrong path. That must start in the home and be backed up by robust enforcement, but can also be complemented by positive activities such as the Kickz project and other schemes provided by the state and voluntary sector.”
