At this month’s full council meeting, Cllr. Colin Davies (Lab, Bryntirion Laleson & Merthyr Mawr) asked for an update on the work a task force – set up to address knife crime and safety in Bridgend’s schools – had done to date.
There have been several well-publicised incidents in the last year or so in the Bridgend area where violence has taken place in or around schools and college campuses, or where children have been found in possession of weapons at school.
Cllr. Davies said that while it was good to hear there had been some positive outcomes already, have there been any other improvements or examples of lessons being learned?
Cabinet Member for Education & Youth Services, Cllr. Martyn Jones (Lab, Garw Valley) was in no doubt that there needed to be a political drive to support officers in dealing with a sensitive and complex issue.
There was “overwhelming support” from BCBC, South Wales Police, the health board, and Bridgend College, with a clear appetite to support schools and individual children in dealing with violence.
Cllr. Jones said that one of the first questions asked is whether current policies were “match fit” for what was happening on the ground in schools.
One area that has already been significantly improved is faster information sharing between South Wales Police and schools once a child is arrested for weapon possession. This means schools can investigate why a child has been carrying a weapon – such as bullying – more quickly.
Nonetheless, there was still more to do an Cllr. Jones appealed to parents and fellow councillors with any further ideas to get in touch.
