SchoolBeat Officer Blog
SchoolBeat Officer Blog: Personal Safety
PC Tristan has some advice about personal safety when you’re out and about.
Officer Blog: Gaming
Children and young people can have lots of fun online and gaming is something that many enjoy. However, there is a rising concern about gambling creeping into online games. Children and young people are still developing their knowledge and understanding of money and can be vulnerable to being drawn into ‘in game’ spending.
In our Vlog, PC Harding has some helpful advice for parents on how to keep their children safer when online gaming.
Officer Blog: Tackling Knife Crime
Our SchoolBeat Officers have advice on young people living knife free. Our key messages:
- Carrying a knife does not make a person safer, it places them at greater risk
- Our communities are safer when we choose not to carry weapons
- Fearless.org is an anonymous service where you can report someone who carries a knife
Officer Blog: Anti-Social Behaviour
You can get help online by contacting Childline or Meic Cymru who will look to guide and support.
Fearless.org is another way to seek help. Contacting Fearless is totally anonymous and their online service means that a person can report any crime or concern they may have. They will not take any personal details and the person reporting cannot be traced.
Please remember the police are also there to help if something goes wrong. The Police can be contacted on 101, or 999 in an emergency.
Officer Blog: Hate Crime
It’s National Hate Crime Awareness Week and our SchoolBeat Officer Blog is taking some time to talk about the most important points.
School Community Police Officers are there to help pupils who are victims of hate crime, and help schools deal with discrimination and prejudice.
Our communities are better and safer when we treat each other with respect.
You can get help online by contacting Childline or Meic Cymru who will look to guide and support.
Fearless.org is another way to seek help. Contacting Fearless is totally anonymous and their online service means that a person can report any crime or concern they may have. They will not take any personal details and the person reporting cannot be traced.
Please remember the police are also there to help if something goes wrong. The Police can be contacted on 101, or 999 in an emergency.
Officer Blog 8: County Lines
In this film PC Sweetman talks about County Lines.
“County Lines” is used to describe the organised, illegal movement of drugs, from the bigger cities into smaller towns and rural areas, often using children and vulnerable adults.
Criminal groups look at recruiting and using young people to carry drugs. It is common for young members of criminal groups to target other young people, especially those who are attracted to the image and status the group seem to offer.
In this film PC Sweetman explains that if you or someone you know is worried about anything relating to gangs or County Lines there are things that can be done.
For a child or young person finding a trusted adult like a parent or carer is a good place to start.
At school, children can always talk to a teacher or the School Community Police Officer.
There is also help online by contacting Childline or Meic Cymru who will look to guide and support.
Fearless.org is another way to seek help. Contacting Fearless is totally anonymous and their online service means that a person can report any crime or concern they may have. They will not take any personal details and the person reporting cannot be traced.
Please remember the police are also there to help if something goes wrong. The Police can be contacted on 101, or 999 in an emergency.
Together we can help keep our children safe.
Officer Blog 7: Preventing Extremism
At a time when terrorist threats and activities are in the news, it is natural that parents might be anxious about how their children might be influenced online. It is true that the internet and social media are used by extremists to promote their ideology and recruit or radicalise people, including young people, however, these instances are rare in Wales.
Our SchoolBeat officer gives some advice in the vlog and points to some sources of help and support if you have concerns about your child and radicalisation. The Welsh Government offers some guidance for parents and carers online.
Safeguarding children from online abuse- Start the conversation – Let’s talk about radicalisation and extremism
- A family guide to talking about radicalisation and extremism
You can report terrorism related content to the police's Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit.
If you are concerned about your child or another family member or friend being radicalised you can seek advice from the police by calling 101 and, if necessary, complete a Prevent referral form so that they can receive local safeguarding support.
Officer Blog 6: Clare's Law
PC Hughes would like to share an important message about Clare's Law, the domestic violence disclosure scheme. Please share and help us raise awareness of the support that is available to those who are at risk of or concerned about domestic abuse.
If you or anyone you know are affected by domestic abuse please contact the Live Fear Free helpline 0808 80 10 800.
In an emergency call 999 and if you cannot speak dial 5 5.
The Police are here to help.
Officer Blog 5: Share Aware
PC Courtney would like to share an important message with parents and carers. The Covid-19 epidemic has brought with it many disruptions, with schools closed and many children being home-schooled.
Technology has helped us, but many of the challenges families faced online before the lockdown are still there – and some new ones have been introduced.
With so many children at home, it is more important than ever that we help our children to think carefully about their online behaviour.
Have a listen to PC Courtney’s top advice and if you are worried about online sexual abuse you can contact the Child Exploitation Online Protection team by searching for CEOP.
Please remember as the police, we are here to help if something goes wrong. Our focus will be on safeguarding the child concerned and helping to resolve issues. The Police can be contacted on 101, or 999 in an emergency.
Together we can help keep our children safe.
Officer Blog 4: Domestic Abuse
PC Skyrme would like to share an important message. Covid-19 (Coronavirus) will have a significant impact on the lives of women, children and men who are experiencing domestic abuse. The increase in pressures over jobs, finances, school closures, home-working and schooling are anticipated to increase instances of domestic abuse incidents during these times of isolation.
If you or anyone you know are affected by domestic abuse please contact the Live Fear Free helpline 0808 80 10 800.
Children can call ChildLine 0800 1111.
In an emergency call 999 and if you cannot speak dial 55.
The Police are still here to help!
Officer Blog 3: Keeping communities safe during lockdown
SchoolBeat would like to thank you for your cooperation with controlling the spread of Covid-19 through social distancing across Wales. PC Hadley would like to share an important message, as we enter our extended phase of lockdown.
Officer Blog 2: Thinking About Sharing Online
PC Underhill discusses thinking about sharing online.
Blog 1: Online Safety • SchoolBeat FM
In support of everyone who is staying home and the teachers providing an exceptional service for essential workers, we are pleased to release our new podcasts. Through “SchoolBeat FM”, School Community Police Officers will talk about some of the important issues that can affect our safety.
Our first podcast is with PC Underhill from South Wales Police, in two parts:
- Online Safety At Home
- Thinking About Sharing Online