VOLUNTEERS are being recruited by the police in an attempt to prevent incidents of damage being caused to school grounds.

The initiative coincides with a link-up between the Eastern Neighbourhood Policing Team and the staff of Ashley Hill School, Onchan, who are working closely together in an attempt to reduce instances of damage, predominantly in the early evenings and weekends.

Their efforts are being supported by an initiative which will see the introduction of community volunteers to school grounds all over the Island. 

“The police support the Department of Education and Children’s policy in relation to the use of school facilities outside the normal school hours,” said Acting Inspector Darrill Pearson of the Eastern Neighbourhood Policing Team.

“However, I would urge those who do so to respect the buildings and grounds and to be mindful of the consequences of their actions, as it would appear that the enthusiastic high spirits of some may have inadvertently resulted in the recent damage at Ashley Hill School, which obviously has an impact upon the quality of our children’s learning environments. 

“To date a number of individuals have been brought to task for their actions at Ashley Hill School and the increased patrols that we recently introduced are now to be supported by an initiative, which has seen the introduction of community volunteers to the grounds of all schools within the Eastern Neighbourhood.

“The four volunteers started their visits on Friday 21st May and will engage with those making use of the schools facilities, the vast majority of whom are respectful of the school settings. The volunteers will highlight any individuals they feel are acting in an irresponsible or anti social fashion and it is hoped that by engaging with those present we will see instances of damage reduced and it will make for a more pleasant learning environment for all.”

The initiative was welcomed by Ashley Hill Headteacher Linda Smith who said, “It’s quite secluded here and we don’t expect the police to be patrolling the school grounds 24/7. We try to make our outdoor environment as interesting as what goes on inside school, in line with the Department of Education and Children’s policy to put more equipment in the grounds, involving the children in gardening and outdoor activities.

“Children have a great sense of right and wrong; it’s black and white to them, not shades of grey, so when there is any damage in their outside play area it is very very upsetting for them. We have 90 children who use the outside area on a daily basis between the ages of three and five and it’s they who are most upset if anything is damaged.”

Youth and Community Officer for Eastern NPT, Acting Sergeant Andy Reed, added, ‘It’s a matter of responsibility and respect: We ask anybody who is going to be here in the school grounds to respect it and be responsible.”