Advice zone
School Watch
Within Staffordshire there are 119 members of School Watch head teachers who receive information about criminal activity which could affect them.
One example was a case when a man, posing as a parent newly moved to the area, visited the school to have a chat with the head teacher. While they were out of the office, the man took the opportunity to search the teachers' staff room, stealing a number of items.
As soon as the theft was discovered, a message was sent out via School Watch. The man was arrested a few hours later at a different school as he repeated the offence.
Other types of messages which might be sent could relate to suspicious people (stranger danger) or potential drug dealing in the local area. This scheme provides a valuable communication tool for head teachers and schools.