CS gas for schools police

Police involved in the Government's latest move to cut street crime will go into schools wearing body armour and carrying batons and CS spray, it has been revealed.

The disclosure has sparked a row over the initiative, which ministers painted as the recreation of the "community bobby", cementing links with pupils and teachers.

Nearly 100 police officers could be stationed in schools around the country in areas worst affected by truancy and crime. But the disclosure that some police would be wearing body armour has shocked governors, prompting the first opposition to the scheme.

Some governors at Northumberland Park School in Tottenham are now seeking to bar officers from the premises. If the governors succeed, police fear they could face opposition in other schools.

The row has broken out despite the school's violent history. Earlier this year a social worker was shot in the foot as he intervened in a brawl between youngsters at a talent show. Last year, a 14-year-old pupil pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm after attacking a teacher in class, hospitalising him with head injuries.

When the school first had an officer on site in a pilot project last year, he arrested a boy for extortion from a fellow pupil.

Opposition is being led by parent governor Phil Naylor, a supporter of the hard-Left Socialist Alliance, who claimed the plan was an over-reaction. "Tottenham schools are not a battle zone," he said. "These are essentially good schools with hard-working teachers and we think this is the wrong way to go about things."

Reg Rice, chairman of the school's governors and a Haringey Labour councillor, said: "My view has always been that there is no place for police officers patrolling the corridors wearing body armour and carrying CS gas."

The 20-strong governing body meets to discuss the police plan in two weeks.

Chief Inspector Adam Barton of Haringey police said the level of equipment was a health and safety issue. Officers throughout the borough wear body armour at all times because of levels of violence in the area.

Mr Barton said: "These officers would be based in schools for two days a week. But they could be called out to deal with other emergencies at any time. The level of violence and shootings in the borough means that it is mandatory for officers to carry this level of equipment."

He added: "If the school's governors decide they do not want a police officer in the school, that would be up to them. But that would be very disappointing and not helpful for what we are trying to do, which is to make the area safer for everyone."