RESOLVING playground disputes is all part of a day's work for Ferndown policeman Jon Sweet.

PC Sweet is a familiar face in the town's middle school where he has played a leading role in a unique pilot scheme aimed at helping reduce anti-social behaviour in the town.

The Safe Schools Project - the only one of its kind in Dorset - has just completed its first year and organisers are hailing it a resounding success.

PC Sweet said: "There are specific factors in a young person's life that, if not addressed properly, may lead to anti-social behaviour as they grew older.

"One of the main factors is their experience of school. There are many events in their life that may cause them to reassess their priorities and this is when school can be seen as less important than immediate problems.

"We are here to provide the extra support that young people need through these trying times and also ensure they receive support from other agencies if needed."

Funded by the Dorset Children's Fund, the team is a partnership between Dorset Police, Dorset youth offending team and all the pyramid schools.

As well as taking an active part in the personal, social and health education (PSHE) curriculum, PC Sweet is also involved with individual intervention work in anger management, peer mediation and self-esteem.

"When we started we thought some parents may be concerned about the project, especially having a policeman based in the school, but they were very positive," added PC Sweet. "And the children think it's perfectly normal to see me patrolling the playground."

Pupils have also had the chance to take part in holiday outdoor activity weeks and a wide range of after-school clubs.

There are now proposals to extend the service into the remaining middle schools within the pyramid.

Patrick Goldsmith from the Dorset youth offending team said: "For some young people, leaving the middle school and joining the upper school can be difficult and somewhat intimidating. This scheme can really help with this transition period by offering advice and helping young people become more confident and able to deal with new situations as well as mix with others they have not met before.

"The overall aim is to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in Ferndown and reduce the fear of crime among pupils, teachers and wider school community."

And he added: "If we work with young people before they get into trouble, most never will."

Head at Ferndown Middle School David Reeves said the project had been a great success.

"I think the parents and children are aware that the reason why Jon is here is because we are a good school. We want to get it right and I am sure other schools will soon be following suit," he added.

First published: Sept 20