How do we, as parents, approach the police regarding anti social behaviour outside school?

[YogaBro]

City centre primary school. Very good school, children thrive in school grounds and teachers are excellent.

Outside school grounds, there is usually a large congregation of homeless people. I have always been very sympathetic towards those who have no home, however I cannot tolerate their behaviour. In the past few weeks they have:

• pulled a knife on someone
• openly taken drugs
• left human faeces in the walkway to school
• shouted at children who dared look at them
• been arrested for shoplifting in the shop next to the school

There will be other instances too as these are just those which I have witnessed.

The school call the police every time. I've called the police and so have other parents. They show up, have a chat or possibly make an arrest, then leave them to carry on.

I spoke with the school office today and they agreed that it would be helpful if parents took action. The school have previously had a meeting with beat police, but the behaviour has continued. The school manage it as best they can and are often outside redirecting parents.

It is getting a little ridiculous.

My question. How would you approach this? A letter signed by lots of parents? A meeting?

I'm not holding out hope that it will make a difference but I feel we must try.

I actually had this same problem OP. Knife pulled outside the school and in general the drugs and ASB are awful.

I went straight on the police force Facebook page and said if they really couldn't spare the resources for patrols it was time to get the retired officers to do prevention work. I said if another blade incident happened, I would not be supporting my child's attendance at the school. I also went to see the local police commissioner, who was up for reelection so was holding surgeries.

This has triggered visible policing in the area outside the gates at home time. Although this seems to have tailed off now, there have been no more blade incidents near the school (fingers crossed) and the tone and response of local police has changed for the better.

I've also complained (factually) to the council and individual councillors about their complete failure in tackling AS behaviours with eg enforcement of fines, generally asking them why they aren't doing their jobs when they say they are, and requesting a council tax refund. Many other people regularly complain about the crappy council and I think this is the key, get loads of people to specify exactly what changes they want to see and forcing the council to explain itself. I have seen small improvements, as in anti-street drinking signs put up, drains cleared etc.

It's well worth finding out who the councillors are and who holds the balance of power on your council.

If your MP is any good then contact them as well.

I also complained about public defecation. The council actually got off its arse, and street cleaned some particularly bad areas.

It takes time and concerted effort but does get results eventually.