Villieria police and representatives of numerous schools in the area had a meeting last week Thursday to discuss the safety of children in the area.
Colonel Gawie Alberts, station commander of Villieria police station, welcomed the schools and emphasised the safety of children was a high priority for Villieria police.
Spokesperson for Villieria police Captain Coba Brits said the meeting held at the Villieria police station was very productive. “The increase of crime involving school children is a big concern and the interaction and regular communication between schools and the police is of utmost importance to ensure crime prevention rather that crime investigation,” Brits said.
She added that although the police focus on educating children about safety and apply other awareness programmes, children who do get involved with drugs, dangerous weapons and alcohol should be reprimanded in an appropriate manner and face the consequences.
Warrant Officer Marinda Austin-Swanepoel said police needed to work hand in hand with schools in terms of the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act 2005 (Act No.13 of 2005) towards crime and violence prevention in schools.
One of the aims of this protocol is to render a school-based crime prevention service that is preventative and pro-active and characterised by the development and implementation of interventions to deter potential offenders and empower potential victims and past victims.
According to Brits, not only was information shared on events and programmes that will be implemented between the two parties, but also contact details for further interaction. “Although it is the last semester of the school year the December school holiday period renders its own problems and school children need to be informed of crime tendencies and keep themselves safe from culprits and dangerous encounters.”
She urged residents and children in particular to be aware of suspicious characters and avoid encounters with unknown people.
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