Media Release: Searching for pupils carrying weapons is not the only way to secure a school

June 2007

Church Hill Primary School in East Barnet, North London is the first school in the country to receive a new police accreditation, ‘Secured Environments’ awarded to organizations that prove they take crime prevention seriously.

Rebecca Mottershead (Headmistress), Simon Tisi (Inspector Barnet Borough Police). Rebecca Mottershead (Headmistress) and some of the pupils of Church Hill Primary School

The scheme is the invention of the Association of Chief Police Officers Crime Prevention Initiatives (ACPO CPI) and Perpetuity Group, a spin out from the University of Leicester; it promotes good security practice in organisations by focusing on strategy, processes and people.

Church Hill Primary School received their award from a senior Metropolitan Police Officer. They reviewed their security measures in line with the six principles of ‘Secured Environments’, namely, commitment, understanding, responding, management, implementation and evaluation.

Simon Tisi, Inspector Barnet Borough police who was giving the award said:
" I am very pleased to have been able to present the very first award of its kind in the country. It is crucial that both children and staff feel safe within their schools and the measures that have been implemented to reduce crime and disorder have helped achieve this aim. It is an excellent example of the results that can be achieved by organisations working with one another."

Rebecca Mottershead (Headmistress) and the school governors

One of the school governors, Andrew Colman, said
" The school governors are very proud that our school is the first organisation of any kind to receive this award. It is a recognition of the happy and safe place that the school is for the children and all its other users."

For further information please contact Emmeline Taylor on 0116 222 5555, email e.taylor@perpetuitygroup.com