School campus cops project scrapped

Feb 3 2010 by Wendy Scott, Airdrie & Coatbridge

THE £100,000 campus cops project at two Coatbridge schools has been axed.

North Lanarkshire Council’s sweeping budget cuts means the scheme at St Andrew’s High and Coatbridge High will be scrapped in April when funding runs out.

PC Rob Beckwith is based at St Andrew’s High while PC Stevie Cuthbert is at Coatbridge High.

This week Jane Liddell, North Lanarkshire Council’s head of Education Quality and Development, told the Advertiser: “North Lanarkshire Council, in common with every Scottish local authority, are facing at least four years of budget reductions as a result of public spending cuts imposed in the wake of the global financial crisis and a reduction in settlement from the Scottish Government.

“In addition to the £15 million efficiency savings next year, the council are expected to make budget reductions totalling at least £60 million in the following three years to 2014.

“The current campus police officers pilot operating within three secondary schools is funded until April 2010 by the council and Strathclyde Police.

“The council currently contributes 66 per cent of the total funding to a value of £97,000 which at end of the pilot will be removed from the budget.

“Following discussions with our partners in Strathclyde Police and an assessment of this pilot programme, further considerations will be given to future opportunities within this area.

“The council have been in discussion with Strathclyde Police to develop a different model that could be rolled out across selected secondary schools based on the very positive evaluation of the campus police development.”

Police divisional commander Chief Superintendent Graham Cairns, said: “The community policing team for the area are doing a fantastic job and a key part of their responsibility is to look after the schools in the area.

“The officers are continuing to build relationships in communities and will actively encourage young people to play a part in this process. I have every confidence in the work the officers are doing and I know that they are aware of the importance of regular visits to our educational establishments.

“We continue to offer opportunities for youngsters to get involved in local initiatives and the success of projects like Score Goals has given them the chance to get to know more about the police service and our partner agencies.”