The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) delivered an impressive 1,178 safer schools presentations during the 2023-2024 academic year, reaching an estimated 32,866 students through classroom sessions. With an average UK class size of 27.9 children, these sessions have proven to be a highly effective method for engaging young people on critical safety issues.
In addition, 638 assembly presentations were delivered, potentially reaching 178,002 students. These assemblies allowed the police to extend its message to broader audiences, further emphasizing the importance of proactive engagement in schools.
Primary and Secondary School Focus
The content of these sessions varied by school level:
Primary Schools
Approximately one-third of all presentations were delivered in primary schools, focusing on early insight topics such as:
- Understanding 999 and the role of the police.
- Clever Never Goes (a modern replacement for “Stranger Danger”), highlighting personal safety themes.
High-Risk Schools
Identified as high-harm or high-risk, these schools received specialized content, including Youth Produced Sexual Imagery (YPSI) and County Lines, developed by the Central Schools and Youth team to tackle critical concerns.
Developing Tailored Presentations
The process for creating MPS presentations is both collaborative and research-driven:
- Identifying Issues: Topics arise from specific policing challenges, such as increased youth involvement in knife crime or sexting incidents.
- Research and Content Development: Officers like PC Hume incorporate materials from trusted external organizations, such as Childnet or Fearless, tailoring them with a policing perspective.
- Expert Review: Workshops are reviewed by subject matter experts (SMEs) and relevant organizations like White Ribbon (for Violence Against Women and Girls) or SEND specialists.
- Collaborative Design: Some presentations, such as the N20 workshop on substance use, are co-developed with external partners, including researchers from Queen Mary University.
Top Presentations of 2023-2024
Among the wide variety of sessions delivered, the following topics proved the most popular:
- Knife Crime – Highlighting the dangers and consequences.
- Cyber Choices – Educating students on online safety.
- County Lines – Addressing exploitation and drug trafficking.
- Robbery – Preventing youth involvement in theft.
- Youth Produced Sexual Imagery (YPSI) – Discussing the risks of sexting.
- Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) – Promoting respect and safety.
- Stop and Search – Explaining police procedures.
- Serious Youth Violence (SYV) – Tackling violent behavior.
- Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) – Raising awareness of grooming and abuse.
- Hate Crime – Encouraging inclusivity and respect.
Monthly Trends in Key Topics
The top presentations varied slightly by month, reflecting timely needs and concerns:
February 2024: Knife crime, VAWG, and County Lines led the list.
March 2024: A broader range of topics included YPSI, Stop and Search, and Exploitation.
April 2024: Cyberbullying and hate crime emerged as priorities alongside knife crime.
June 2024: A rise in drugs and exploitation presentations was noted.
July 2024: Assemblies focused on social media awareness and staying safe over summer.
Room for Improvement
Despite the significant impact, limitations exist in the tracking of presentations. Some boroughs did not use the tracker, which could lead to underreporting. If these boroughs contributed, it’s estimated the total reach could increase by 9.3%.
Looking Ahead
The MPS Safer Schools program has demonstrated its value as a cornerstone of youth engagement. By addressing critical safety concerns in relatable ways and fostering collaboration with educators and external experts, the initiative continues to empower students with the tools they need to stay safe and make informed decisions.
With further improvements in data tracking and expanded reach in underserved areas, the MPS is well-positioned to build on this year’s success and continue supporting young people across London.