As part of her regular series of Basingstoke Community Chats, Maria Miller MP recently provided attendees with the opportunity to discuss the initiatives that are being put in place to keep drugs out of our schools across the borough of Basingstoke & Deane.
A panel composed of key representatives including deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Terry Norton, PC Susan Petts from the Basingstoke police High Harm Team, and Neil Connolly from Hampshire County Council’s Willow Team who work with exploited children. The meeting featured a panel and Q&A session, allowing for direct discussion between attendees and officials.
Deputy PCC Terry Norton outlined the resources and initiatives that the PCC office is providing to keep drugs out of our schools, saying their policy of investing back into neighbourhood policing with fifty more bobbies on the beat in Basingstoke would play a big part in increasing the visible deterrent.
Neil Connolly emphasised the importance of awareness education for the year 6 and 7 age group, saying that this is a crunch time for children, to ensure they aren’t exploited during the transition from primary to secondary school.
Maria commented “It is so important that we hear directly from school Governors and staff on the issues that they feel are most concerning. Young people are the future of our community, and it is therefore vital that they are given the best education in a safe environment. Keeping drugs out of our schools will ensure that all children can be confident that schools are a safe place to learn.
Maria also added “It is important that we realise that child exploitation can go from zero to 100 in a couple of weeks. Children can be tested by gangs, asking them to steal something small from a shop to see if they can be trusted. This then leads onto a more dangerous involvement where they’re asked to courier drugs from door to door on scooters or bikes for a small reward.
“Parents and school staff should always be on the lookout for the early signs, children missing school, staying out late at night, mixing with different groups, could all be early signs of drugs gangs grooming children”.
To receive further information and regular updates regarding Maria’s work as Member of Parliament for Basingstoke, subscribe to her monthly newsletter here.
