I disagree with your Comment, October 20, suggesting it was wrong for Camden secondary schools to have “willingly co-operated with the police” in identifying students who had been caught on CCTV during August’s riots.
Schools may often offer young people a haven away from the troubles they encounter at home.
This is not the same as offering sanctuary to those who are wanted for questioning over a criminal offence.
You rightly point out schools’ duty of care and responsibility to look after their students during school hours.
On this I look forward to you condemning the participation of any student who is caught up in demonstrations such as last November’s over tuition fees during school time.
However the most common complaint I hear about our schools from local residents is why they cannot exercise more responsibility for the behaviour of their students outside the school gates.
This is about the ethos of a school, and such an ethos obviously starts with a clear recognition of the difference between right and wrong.
Therefore I applaud the two schools which helped police identify suspected rioters.
I am sure that this was not an easy decision to take by the schools, but it was the right one and their schools – and students – will benefit from it in the years ahead.
Cllr Andrew Mennear
Frognal & Fitzjohns ward