Police in Lewisham will be stepping up action and prevention against antisocial behaviour by students at secondary schools in the area.

This comes after an increase in antisocial behaviour, assault and property damage in the area by some young people.

There will be an increased police presence within Lewisham town centre to “reassure the business community and visitors to the high street”.

A letter from Duncan Jackson, an inspector from South East BCU Schools Team, addresses the parents or carers of children who are enrolled at secondary schools in Lewisham.

It reads: “Disorder linked to school pupils in Lewisham town centre has increased in recent years to an unacceptable level.

“Some of you will have seen video clips online showing incidents of assault and property damage in recent months.

“To reduce this issue the Metropolitan police service will be working closely with partners at Lewisham council and Lewisham School Headteachers to address Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) through an early intervention scheme.

“We acknowledge that this is a minority of school pupils who are causing the majority of the issues, but this behaviour is unacceptable.”

Officers explained that they will be aiming to “prevent future criminal behaviour” using practices and powers Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2014.

These police powers and sanctions include:

  • - Banning offenders from certain stores in the shopping centre
  • - Revocation of TfL Zip card (Oyster) for children aged 11-15 leading to an end of free and discounted travel on all TfL transport services
  • - Inclusion on a barring list for child Oyster card concessions
  • - Issuing of criminal behaviour orders (CBO)
  • - Parenting Order
  • - Civil injunctions
  • - Closure orders / Notices linked to Section 21 and Section 8 Housing Act 1998
  • - Charge or youth caution

Police may use also powers to disperse young people under Section 35 Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 which gives a uniformed officer the power to exclude a person from an area for a period of up to 48 hours.

Section 50 of the Police Reform Act 2002 means that an officer can demand the address of a person engaging in anti-social behaviour and if the person refuses of gives a false answer, they commit an offence.

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The letter explains that if a child is found to be in breach of either of these offences they are likely to be taken home by an uniformed officer and their school will be notified.

Inspector Jackson asks parents to warn young people of the consequences of poor behaviour in Lewisham town centre.

If you have any information relating to serious youth violence or anti-social behaviour please report via the Met police online portal at, https://www.met.police.uk/ or for any urgent incidents ring 101 or 999 in an emergency/crime in progress.