Ofsted report is very timely and highlights the importance of early interventions in our schools and colleges to help protect children - Abbott

Diane Abbott MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, commenting on a report by Ofsted into safeguarding children and young people in education from knife crime, said:

“This report is very timely and highlights the importance of early interventions in our schools and colleges to help protect children. 

“The Government’s policy of cuts has failed vulnerable children in particular and Ofsted have now said that this could be one of the factors driving the rise in knife crime.

“Labour is committed to a public health approach to knife crime, which brings together schools and other public services along with increased police numbers to tackle knife crime from every angle.”

Ends

Notes to editors

• ·         Safeguarding children and young people in education from knife crime: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/785055/Knife_crime_safeguarding_children_and_young_people_110319.pdf  

• ·         Amanda Spielman, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector at Ofsted, said: “It seems just as likely that exclusions and knife crime are 2 symptoms of the same underlying problems, exacerbated by cuts to local authority children’s services.” https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/hmci-commentary-on-knife-crime