POLICE were called to educational establishments in our area 840 times last year, more than in any other year since 2002.

Proportionally, Bournemouth schools have more of a problem with violent offences and Poole schools suffer more criminal damage.

Theft was the most common reason for police to be called to schools across all local authorities last year followed by criminal damage.

Detective Superintendent Richard Burkmar admitted there was an upward trend but said that rise in crime on school premises was not "significant".

A police spokesman said that they could not justify police resources in obtaining any more information on the subject.

The Daily Echo obtained these shocking statistics from Dorset Police under the Freedom of Information Act.

They do not indicate how many convictions for these offences were brought but police visits to the schools after an allegation of a crime was made.

The figures refer to the number of times that police have been called to an educational establishment but not all the incidents necessarily occurred inside a school during school hours.

Dorset Police's Freedom of Information Officer Melissa Ashdown said: "For example some may have occurred on a school's playing field by individuals totally unconnected with the school."

The figures are provided by police beat, in the beat that includes Portchester and Avonbourne Schools police were called 59 times last year and not less than 48 times a year over the last five years.

Last year 26 of these visits related to allegations of violence against the person, a police category of crimes that includes murder, wounding, assault, harassment, possession of weapons and cruelty to children.

Nineteen visits were on allegations of theft and 13 for criminal damage.

The two schools were also visited five times for drug offences since 2002.

Head teacher of Portchester Chris Brady said that they did call the police to the school a lot because they recognised that working with them improved students' behaviour.

Mr Brady said: "The beat officer and community support officer work with young people to try and resolve issues with a restorative approach. They offer support rather than sanctions.

"They are in school on a regular basis about once a week."

He explained that the idea was for the boys to view the police as on their side rather than viewing them as the enemy.

He said: "I think this is a model that should be encouraged."

He said the school also used specially trained pupil peer mediators and that the exclusion figures have fallen dramatically.

The head teacher of Avonbourne School Debbie Godfrey-Phaure said that she had called the police just once last year to deal with an excluded pupil who was refusing to leave.

Last year there were more allegations of sexual offences at educational establishments across the area than drug offences.

In 2006 police were called three times to schools in Bournemouth on sexual offences, once to a school in Poole and once to Highcliff School, Christchurch.

Police attended Swanage Middle School on allegations of sexual offences three times in the last five years, twice in 2004 and once in 2003, which is more than any other school in the area.

In 2004 they were called to Ferndown First School for a sexual offence matter. The same school was visited twice last year by police investigating drug offences.

It was not the only primary school to receive a visit on drug matters, police were called also to Bearwood Primary and Nursery School in 2005.

Education authorities respond

  • A Dorset County Council spokesman said: "We do not think that there is a serious problem with crime in Dorset schools but agree that every allegation or incident should be investigated, and are grateful for the support the Police give us."
  • Executive director of children's services for Bournemouth Borough Council, Jane Portman said in some schools minor incidents may be dealt with effectively without formal recording.

She added: "Safeguarding children and young people remains our overriding priority and every school has clear procedures and policies in place which are in line with our local authority guidance.

"We also have an anti-bullying policy which has been developed by our joint Bournemouth and Poole Safeguarding Children's Board."

  • Strategic director for children's services at the Borough of Poole John Nash said: "We make every effort to ensure Poole schools provide a safe and secure environment for all our pupils and staff.

"We are currently working in partnership with police through the Safer Neighbourhoods programme to address all forms of anti-social behaviour in our schools and local communities.

"The majority of police call outs are to reports of theft, criminal damage and burglary.

"Schools can be unoccupied for significant periods for example during school holidays, and subsequently do become targets for criminal damage and burglary."