School summer security campaign

The initiative has already been used during the half-term holiday

Police officers are going undercover to combat vandalism and arson attacks on schools in Northumberland over the summer holidays.

During the holidays, officers in the south-east of the county will be combining high-profile patrols and undercover work to try and ensure schools stay trouble free.

The initiative to cut crime has already run during the half-term holiday and proved effective in combating disorder.

This latest operation runs from the end of July to the beginning of September.

The most vulnerable schools will be identified and a briefing pack prepared for each one, which will include background on the premises, action that needs to be taken and the results achieved.

Officers are sending letters to residents living near schools alerting them to the operation and asking them to be vigilant.

Property damaged

Letters have been prepared which can be sent to parents whose children have been found on school grounds.

Community Beat Managers have been visiting school assemblies to explain the initiative to teachers and pupils.

Youngsters were reminded that once a school is closed they should not be on the property without permission of the school and could be arrested for trespass.

Officers will be working closely with local Neighbourhood Watch schemes, traffic wardens, special constables and local authority community wardens to monitor hotspots.

Chief Inspector Graham Davis said: "Some youngsters see the holidays as an invitation to gather in the school grounds, which can lead to property being damaged and disorder taking place.

Community's help

"We would remind people that once they are closed, school grounds are private property and anyone on them is actually trespassing.

"Based on intelligence, past incidents and information from community beat managers and the county council's education department, each school will be risk assessed to look at its potential for problems.

"If we find offences have taken place we will rigorously investigate to track down and arrest those responsible.

"We would also ask for the community's help over the summer holidays. If they see anything suspicious in or around school premises they should get in touch with the police."