Herefordshire Healthy Schools Partnership have 'turned the tables' and brought our two local School Support Officers 'in for questioning!!'  If you have any burning questions that you would like answered with regards to their role, policing or the law, please email your questions on the form below.  Past questions and responses are also below. Simon and Vicky were both previously police officers in Derbyshire, and prior to this Vicky worked in Gloucestershire. Between them they have accrued 37 years police service and have experience of many different aspects of police work. The Role of the Community Safety Unit PCs Vicky & Simon Turner work in the Community Safety Unit in Hereford Division of West Mercia Constabulary. They are able to support all schools and young people in Herefordshire and are able and willing to support classroom inputs for PSHE (and Citizenship).  Simon and Vicky are experienced in this area and have qualifications to support this.  Both are currently working towards the Certificate of Professional Development in PSHE. Unfortunately they are not able to respond to specific incidents that may occur in your school. Matters requiring urgent police attendance in order to deal with an incident still require you to call the West Mercia Police call centre - 08457 444 888.

 

Some of the questions asked of our Community Police Officers in the past, along with responses.

Question: I'm twelve and not very tall, will I have to have a booster seat when the new law starts? Answer: From 18th September 2006:<br><br>If you are 12 years old and/or over 135cm tall, you are not required to use a booster seat. You do have to wear a seatbelt in the front or back car seat.<br><br>If you are under 12 or under 135cm tall, you must use a child restraint in the front or back (this does mean a booster seat or booster cushion) and seatbelt . There are some exceptions. To find out more, copy and paste the link below to the internet address bar to see a table from the Government information leaflet that may help to clarify things further. Perhaps your teachers/ parents could print a copy off so that everyone has the right information to hand.<br><br>www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/campaigns/childcarseats/childcarseats.htm

Question: My teacher makes me put a seatbelt on when we go on trips from school on a coach, why? Answer: Your teachers want to make sure that everyone in their care is as safe as they can be. Wearing a seatbelt in a vehicle ensures you are safe whilst in that vehicle. Also, the Law tells us that where a vehicle is fitted with seatbelts, then the passengers should wear them. Your teachers will also have to be mindful now of new legislation around the use of appropriate restraints for children in cars. Please see the other question and answer on booster seats.

Question: Is it against the law to be left on my own at home? I am 11. Answer: This is a tricky one to answer! There is no legal age that the law says a young person can be left 'Home Alone'. Parents are always responsible for the safety and welfare of their children until they are 16 years of age. Whether you are left home alone is a decision for you and your parents to make together. It depends on the circumstances really and using common sense. For instance Mum or Dad popping to the local shop and being out for 30 minutes is one thing, your parents going away on holiday for a week and leaving you alone at home without any adults around is quite another! Also, are they expecting you to be able to look after younger brother and sisters? This may be something you are not happy with perhaps it is too much responsibility for you. Hopefully you can explain this to your parents and they'll make some changes that you'll feel happier with. If you're not happy with the circumstances in which you are being left alone, then you can always tell a grown up you trust, like someone at school, or telephone a helpline like ChildLine 0800 1111.

Question: I heard someone in school the other day talking about 'hate crime' and 'true vision' - what were they talking about? Answer: Hate Crime is any offence committed against a person or property, which is motivated by the offenders hatred of people because they are seen as being different. Police will use this phrase when they are investigating these offences. A person can be a victim of a hate crime if they perceive they were picked on because of their race, religion, disability, sexuality or gender. Anyone can report a hate crime to Police, if they have witnessed it, are reporting it on behalf of someone else or have directly experienced it themselves. True Vision is the name given to a self-reporting scheme, primarily for crimes against race and religion. It encourages people to report incidents of hate crime to Police. It is optional for people to include their personal details. The aim is to obtain a true vision of hate crime, to give people the confidence to report the things that are happening to them and to enable the Police to investigate these matters and bring the perpetrators to justice. The web-site link is www.report-it.org.uk for more information.

Question: What is restorative justice? Answer: This is something that is used a great deal within the Criminal Justice System to provide opportunities for those directly affected by an offence (victim, offender, wider community) to communicate and agree how to deal with the offence and its consequences. The main principles are: 1.Victim Satisfaction - to reduce the fear of crime for the victim and to speak of the harm that has been done to them and seek some sort of pay back from the offender. 2.Engagement - with the young person (offender) to ensure they are aware of the consequences of their actions, make an offer of reparation to the victim or the community and see the young person take responsibility for their actions. Using RJ, relationships can be restored and things put right between the offender, the victim and the community. It allows for those persons directly affected by anothers actions to have a voice and be involved in the process. RJ also works to provide positive outcomes for the victim and the community and to encourage a change in the behaviour and attitude of the young person. In Herefordshire, RJ may take the following forms: Victim - Offender mediation - Either direct (face to face) or indirect. RJ Conferencing a more scripted meeting takes place with a facilitator, victim and offender. Outcomes are agreed as to the actions the offender will take to address the harm that has been caused as a result of their actions. Referral Order Youth Panels - First time convicted young offenders and their carers meet community volunteer panel members to discuss the offence, its consequences and agree a contract for reparation and rehabilitation. Victims of the crime are also invited to attend these panel meetings.

 

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