Policing Pupils
The Growing Presence of Police in UK Schools
Over the past two decades, the relationship between police and schools in the UK has changed dramatically. With many more police officers being placed inside schools as a part of the internal team, schools are routinely sharing information about pupils with the police while parents and pupils are unaware this is happening. While the stated aim is to keep children safe, this blurring of a line has had detrimental consequences—particularly for pupils with special educational needs and racialised communities.
There is now clear evidence that involving police as an everyday part of school behaviour and discipline can lead to the unnecessary criminalisation of children. Actions once managed by school behavioural policies are now, due to an internal police presence, leading to criminalisation. A police record—even for a minor incident—can have lifelong implications for a child’s future.
We work to ensure that school’s safeguarding policies takes a child-first approach which may include challenging police action.
Real Stories: When Schools Call the Police on Children
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A 12-year-old girl, grieving the recent death of her father and awaiting assessments for ADHD and autism, was not attending school and clearly vulnerable. After calling her teacher a “weirdo” she was asked to write a letter of apology. Her response included insults towards the teacher. The school suspended the child and reported the incident to social services and police as a malicious communication. The school’s Safer Schools Officer initiated a formal investigation and the child was at risk of receiving a police caution—a decision that would have long-term criminal record consequences despite her apologising.
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A 10-year-old primary school student accidentally included a kitchen knife among the materials she packed for school and after-school activities.
She discovered the knife at lunchtime and told another child. She showed her curious peers the knife without removing it from her bag. A teacher was informed, and she was sent home. The school collected ‘evidence’ from a group of 9–10-year-olds. Though the child denied any intention to harm, she was permanently excluded and transferred to another school. The child faced a formal police investigation and the incident caused lasting trauma, shame, and social exclusion for the child and her family.
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A 14-year-old boy took a pair of tweezers from a science class and attached them to a pen. A teacher considered the modified item to be dangerous and contacted the police. The boy was subsequently interviewed late at night at a police station. He faced the prospect of receiving a formal caution for possessing a weapon — a decision that would carry life-long consequences through a criminal record.
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A 12-year-old boy with ADHD, autism, speech & language difficulties, and learning disabilities punched a classmate following weeks of social exclusion.
He was excluded, kept in isolation for weeks, banned from extracurriculars, and eventually referred to the police.
Despite efforts to support his mental health, an apology and that the boys had become friends again, the matter escalated unnecessarily into a formal police process.
How We Can Help
Training for Schools
We provide expert training to help schools navigate their safeguarding responsibilities, with a focus on supporting the best interests of the child. Our training also covers how to assert children's rights effectively and understand the legal implications of involving the police in disciplinary matters.
Support for Parents
We support parents in understanding how to protect their child’s rights and advocate effectively on their behalf when police become involved in school-related incidents.
Resources for Communities
We provide practical tools, guides, information and other resources for communities who want to challenge the increased presence of police in schools and push for change.
“… the incident that happened (was) treated not as a safeguarding issue. (It was) treated as a criminal matter.’ as a criminal matter.”
“In hindsight I put my trust in the law; I know now that I need to understand the law better.”
Need help with jargon?
Use our Policing Pupils Glossary
Resources
Factsheets
These visual guides and toolkits can help campaigners navigate the “safer schools partnership” in place in their school and advise on how to challenge it.
Factsheet #1
Timeline and Growth
Factsheet #2
SSP and Data Sharing
Factsheet #3
Public Sector Equality Duty
Factsheet #4
FOI Requests
Factsheet #5
Protecting Your Data
Templates
Pre-drafted legal template letters and arguments to help campaigners in their efforts for reform.
Template
Police Letter
Template
Template Freedom of Information Act Request
Research
In-depth reports on:
The history of policing in British schools
Safer Schools Partnerships
Public Sector Equality Duty and Human Rights Requests
Lessons from the U.S. "Police-Free Schools" movement
Report
The history of policing in English schools
Report
Safer Schools Partnerships
Report
Lessons from the U.S. "Police-Free Schools" movement
Report
Public Sector Equality Duty and Human Rights Requests