Ascension : From the Constables Desk
Submitted by The Islander (Raymond Ellick) 21.09.2006 (Article Archived on 05.10.2006)

Just to give a brief outline of the duties of the School Liaison Officer.

 The role entails an officer who has a diverse responsibility in dealing with juveniles of school age. The officer must have a broad outlook in being able to communicate effectively with the children, rather than to deter them from their involvement with the police. It is our intention to associate ourselves with the children in an effect to prevent them from embarking on the verge of crime. We are friendlily, accessible face in the school and help whenever there is a need. All constables of the detachment will however assist in some way or the other. Here are a few of the main pointers:

·         Create good relationships with the school in conjunction with the curriculum.

·         Work with excluded children who also tend to be criminally active outside of school by working with the appropriate agencies.

·         To introduce a strategy to prevent youth offending and re-offending by young children.

·         Look for opportunities to deter offenders and instil responsibility in the child and their, parent for collective criminal behaviour.

·         Develop early interventions for first time offenders.

·         Dealing with anti-social behaviour.

It is our intention to create awareness relating to the law that would normally affects them in and outside of schooling. Our aim is to educate and deflect youths from crime and to give them a better understanding of the law and dangers within today’s society and how it can affect them.  This is a joint effect approach with the school management and staff on what subjects is most appropriate to be deliver within the school curriculum. The officers visit the school and deliver subjects to a varied age group of children. A program of topics has been complied which will take the detachment to the end of this financial year. The main cores topics to be deliver are, Sexual offences, consumption of alcohol, drugs and smoking. Other related topics are road safety, petty crimes and bulling.

I will now give a brief out line on some of the topics. Sexual offences are now enacted by the Sexual Offences Act 2003 which received Royal Assent in November 2003 and came into force on the 1 May 2004.  It makes many changes to the current law, much of which dates back to the Sexual Offences Act 1956. The age of consent is 16; children can and do abuse and exploit other children. Therefore the act makes it an offence for children under 16 to engage in sexual activity, in order to protect those children who are victims of abuse and exploitation.  Although there is evidence of soft drugs being consumed and produced on the island, there is no evidence of it been used on the school premises, which is good news through proactive measures being taken. It is planned at some point in which to bring in a drugs dog, as a deterrent and reassurance measure. Having a dog on the school premises is also pretty interesting for the kids.  Under age smoking is a concern and although relatively low with children. You are advised that you cannot smoke any form of tobacco products, until you have attained the age of 16 yrs.  These topics are delivered in conjunction with the Medical Department, the reason being as this has two important components, the law and the effects that it could have. 

We have and will continue to visit the Ladybirds Group to talk to the children about policing issues that will be of understanding to the younger age group. We will also be visiting the voluntary organisations to help our youths to have a bright and crime free future.  If you have any concerns do not panic, help is readily available from any of the officers.

Ending on a traffic concern, it has been noted that drivers are parking their vehicles on the double yellow lines which are place on the road alongside of Freddie’s bakery. The lines were put there for a specific reason, in the event that the Fire Service are callout to an emergency, and only to find that vehicles are parked on either side of the road, preventing an easy egress route from fire station.  It is an offence to park or stand at any time on that side of the road which is painted a continuous double yellow line. We will be monitoring this and if any one is caught parking their vehicle on the double yellow lines; the appropriate action will be taken.

Keep smiling and always be trouble free.