PCSOs support Hertfordshire schools

Every Schools Consortium in Hertfordshire now has its own PCSO to help support and deal with young people across the county.

At a recent Youth Conference hosted by Hertfordshire Constabulary and Hertfordshire County Council, 38 'Youth and Schools' PCSOs were announced - one for every Extended School Consortium.

Inspector Sian Lockley, from the Constabulary's Community Safety and Crime Reduction Department said, "The Youth & Schools Police Community Support Officers are an important addition to the Constabulary's commitment not only to deal with young people but also to provide a service to them. We can see no better place than to do this through using the safe and non-threatening environment of their schools."

Up until recently there were ten PCSOs with a dedicated school and young persons' liaison role in Hertfordshire but their success has led to the expansion to 38.

These staff are jointly funded by the Constabulary and County Council and, as a further sign of Hertfordshire County Council's commitment, the PCSOs were recently trained in a number of specialist youth subjects by colleagues from Children, Schools and Families at the County Council.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Devine said, "The 38 Youth and Schools PCSO's are an addition to the 249 PCSO's and 172 Neighbourhood constables who they work alongside in order to tackle low level local issues. Where these new staff will make real impact is in working as part of a multi agency team to identify those young people who are already involved in crime and anti social behaviour, or who are at risk of becoming involved in it.
"As part of the 'team around the child' concept, they will work in a targeted way to support and channel those young people most at risk, by diverting them into more positive activities and/or referring them to appropriate agencies. This is a real culture change in addressing young people's issues and will support County Council partners in delivering better outcomes for young people."