SHARP crime computer system set to help pupils report crime anonymously

Published: 27 January 2011
by JAMIE WELHAM

A CRIMESTOPPERS-style computer system has been launched in schools to allow pupils to report crime anonymously.

Police have set up the online reporting system because of the pressure on pupils not to “snitch” to officers based in schools – a pressure believed to stop victims coming forward, meaning crimes go unreported.

Pupils can use the Sharp system to voice concerns about bullying, hate crime and knives via an online form or by sending a text message.

It will run in six Camden secondary schools and Camden safety chiefs said there are plans to roll it out to cover all schools in the borough by the end of the year.

Sharp – the School Help Advice Reporting Page – is a national scheme and can also be used to offer crime prevention advice to students.

Reports are monitored by non-teaching staff at the school, who can alert police in the event of a serious allegation.

Pupils can log on to the website in and out of school time.

La Sainte Union in Highgate Road is among the six schools that have signed up to use the system following its introduction in Westminster Kingsway College in King’s Cross last year.

Sergeant Peter Byrne from Camden Police said: “Students may not always feel comfortable approaching teachers or police with issues that are worrying for them. 

“The SHARP system allows students to voice their concerns without needing to provide a name, telephone number or email address. 

“The system will mean that we can provide information to students, which will hopefully help to prevent crime.”

Dominic Wilson, Camden council’s justice co-ordinator, told a meeting of community leaders at the community and police consultative group last week that the early signs were positive.

Under the safer schools partnership, each secondary school is assigned a dedicated police officer to ensure the safety of pupils.

According to information on the Sharp website: “There are many reasons why young people decide not to talk about incidents – confrontational, face to face, lack of confidence, scared, peer pressure, kudos, scared in case someone sees them talking to or seen in the schools office but to name just a few. 

“The system covers every principle of the Every Child Matters agenda in education today. It also gives students a voice and covers many aspects looked for in the new charter mark for schools.”