Criminal Damage
Case Study: Operation Mullion
Lead agency: Hampshire Constabulary
Partners: Mayfield School (staff and students), Education Welfare, the Local Education Authority, the Council, feeder schools, and Social Services.
Location: Copnor, Portsmouth
Dates: Established September 2003, ongoing activity
Keywords: school, hot spot, geographic analysis, alcohol, security, antisocial behaviour, young people, bullying, vandalism, criminal damage, theft.
Summary: Mayfield School, the largest secondary school in Portsmouth, suffered from persistent antisocial behaviour and was considered a magnet for criminal activity. The partnership implemented a range of measures which involved the whole community and resulted in significant reductions in crime, exclusions and truancy.
The problem:
- A community survey and analysis of offences by geographic area indicated that police were attending the school up to 75 times a year, costing an average of £177 per incident.
- The analysis identified four key areas of concern; assualts and bullying within the school, crime on site after hours and general antisocial behaviour in the area, theft within schools, exclusion and truancy.
- The analysis looked beyond the presenting issues to the underlying causes of the problem. For example, the shcool experienced the majority of burglaries after hours and was suffering damage and vandalism which had cost the shcool approximately £20,000 over two years. There was evidence that alcohol was being brought to the site and consumed by visiting youths. Underlying causes included poorly secured premises, a nearby off-licence, where proxy sales were taking place, damage reported and dealt with in the school rather than through the police, a lack of targeted police response and limited resources to investigate crime in school, lack of ownership of the problem and the perpetrators believing that 'you can get away with it'. Back to top
Action taken:
- In relation to burglary and criminal damage, the partnership successfully applied for Designated Status under the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003 which allowed them to disperse people behaving in an antisocial way. This was publicised through letters to all students in the area, leaflets to residents, posters in key locations and a media release. High visibility policing patrols enforced the status of the area and officers used this facility to identify and target key individuals using acceptable behaviour contracts to identify and work on their behaviour. Large groups were identified and dispersed. Proxy sales were tackled with trading standards officers and the Council. Funding was obtained from police headquarters (under the 'efficiency savings' budget) for improved perimeter fencing.
- This work formed part of a package of measures which also included working with students on a 'no bullying campaign', obtaining funding for a secure Cycle Cage, introducing a property marking system for mobile phones and bicycles, educating young people on crime prevention and providing students with crime prevention packs. Back to top
What happened as a result?
- Since the start of the proejct Mayfield School has seen a 100 per cent reduction in recorded criminal damage, 100 per cent reduction in recorded vehicle crime, 95 per cent reduction in mobile phone theft and significant reductions in cycle thefts, exclusions and truancy. Back to top
What made it work?
- The success of this project lay in the partnership strategies. Through significant exchange of intelligence and concerns, problems were identified and tackled. The police presented themselves as a facility for the partnership, especially one for the students to use. This meant they were accepted and trusted. Target hardening methods of crime prevention were suggested and adopted successfully. Through educating each other about our ability to help each other and work together, sustainable results were achieved. Back to top
Last update: Thursday, June 28, 2007
