Mountnorris Primary School is the latest school to sign up to the ‘School Watch’ scheme.
Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) in partnership with the PSNI work with local schools to establish ‘School Watch’ areas.
And through this multi-agency approach, the School Watch scheme aims to tackle vandalism and criminal damage in schools, similar to the ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ scheme.
Chair of Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon Policing and Community Safety Partnership, Councillor Máire Cairns, said: “The School Watch campaign is aimed at keeping our school buildings safe and secure, while trying to combat crime in and around the school premises.
“I would urge everyone to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour they see to the local Police.”
As with Neighbourhood Watch, signs are placed in prominent areas around the school highlighting that local residents are keeping watch and looking out for their local school.
Residents in the vicinity of the schools are encouraged to keep an eye out for anything unusual or suspicious around the school, and more importantly to promote the importance of reporting any suspicious activity they notice on school grounds to the PSNI.
This will be especially important over the summer months when the school is not being used on a daily basis.
Anyone wishing to report suspicious activity on school premises after hours or during holidays please call 101.
For further information on School Watch, please contact PCSP on 028 3831 2400.
