Notice: 11 June 2021
Special Education Notice from Director of Education and Skills Safeguarding Alert Significant Incident on 11th June
Dear Colleagues,
I am conscious that you, your staff and many of your pupils will be aware of the significant incident on Friday 11th June in the early evening involving four teenage boys. This is now a live criminal investigation.
Rapid action locally in terms of calls to the police meant that the boys were swiftly arrested. Naturally this is going to cause anxiety in both the local community and in our schools and we would appreciate your assistance in managing this. Our first focus needs to be related to the specific incident and any other information that may be shared by pupils. The wider community safety issues will be reviewed more strategically and we will keep you up to date with our plans.
A number of you have been in contact with us as you are aware some of your pupils have come into school talking about either the incident or other incidents that they know of, and in some cases sharing names. This is to be anticipated and is not unusual after such an event. Some of the things they may refer to may not be current information, some of it may be. Some of it is likely to be information that is already known to the local authority and some of it might not be.
It is crucial that the correct processes are now followed.
If pupils or adults share any information that is directly related to the incident on Friday, that must be shared immediately with the police (by calling 101) and then Family Connect. Please quote the police reference number you will be given in your call to Family Connect.
Should you have any information from pupils or others that raises a safeguarding concern about any child then a referral to Family Connect is our usual process and this has not changed. Within that conversation they will advise on whether it needs to be referred to the police as well.
Please do not send information directly to individual officers as it’s important you follow the agreed and normal routes.
It is appropriate for you to also remind your staff that they should not be commenting on social media regarding this issue.
Thank you for your ongoing support during this difficult time.
Simon Wellman
Director: Education and Skills
Telford and Wrekin Council
01952 381008
07773 534456