New twist in Damilola police row

The school was a focal point after Damilola's death

A police liaison officer at the school Damilola Taylor attended before his death, was about to be removed from the post despite being "immensely popular", according to reports.

Pc Ian Wright, who was responsible for a number of schools in south London including the Oliver Goldsmith primary where the 10-year-old was a pupil, was told by his superiors he was concentrating too much on primary and nursery schools, compared to secondary schools.

The head teacher at Damilola's school and another primary school were "horrified" at the idea of losing Pc Wright and complained to the Southwark police division, The Daily Telegraph said.

The Metropolitan Police Federation has described the disclosure as deeply embarrassing for Scotland Yard.

Capital has too few police

Reacting to the news Home Office Minister Charles Clarke again acknowledged "there are not enough police" in London.

But he said that although police relations with primary schools were important "police contact with secondary schools should not be downgraded".

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "There is significant mapping of crime in secondary schools in Southwark" and police contact with older pupils was also key in dealing with issues such as vandalism, truancy and exclusions.

Damilola died on 27 November

Turning to police numbers he said there were signs that the corner was being turned in terms of recruitment and he emphasised that the government was working to make the employment package for police officers more attractive.

The news comes as the political row over policing continues, with Conservative leader William Hague under fire for his comments on police numbers and law and order.

Pc Wright, 41, who was a teacher before becoming a police officer, spoke to primary school children about subjects including bullying, vandalism, crime prevention and personal safety.

He argued that it was important to contact children before their attitudes hardened against the police.

Letters of complaint

But his superiors were concerned that his work in primary schools was to the "detriment" of local secondary schools.

This is exactly the sort of job we need people to do

Simon Hughes MP

When it was announced that Pc Wright was to be moved to other duties, the head teachers of Oliver Goldsmith school and another school complained in writing.

Scotland Yard said that Pc Wright remained schools officer for the area but that his "priority" was secondary schools.

However a statement also said that he remained in close contact with Oliver Goldsmith school in order to give "extra support to staff and pupils" following Damilola's death.

Expressing his disappointment at the news the Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Simon Hughes said: "This is exactly the sort of job we need people to do."

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it was essential to have police officers in schools as they may become "role models for youngsters" or they could be able to affect the lives of children "as they might get into a pattern of criminality".