Thread by @npolicemonitor

🔈 IMPORTANT INFO, please read

1/9) Greater Manchester Combined Authority are planning a hike in Council Tax in order to fund the introduction of police in schools. This is against the wishes of teachers, parents and students - find out more below

2/9) A hike in Council Tax rates in Greater Manchester will provide £10mil more funding to Greater Manchester Police (GMP). This is on top of the extra £30mil GMP have received from GMCA’s core grant

3/9) The Council Tax increase (£10mil) will be used to recruit 325 new officers & introduce new initiatives, including more police in schools. Our Decriminalise the Classroom report documents the concerns of young people, teachers, parents & the community nopoliceinschools.co.uk/resources/Decr…

4/9) Only 502 people were consulted by GMCA on these plans. Only 34% said they’d support an increase of £1.25 p/m in Council Tax. GMCA went ahead regardless. Not only that, Band D properties will pay £10 more Council Tax!

5/9) GMP has shown it’s not only incapable of keeping our communities safe, but that it causes systemic harm and injustice, felt particularly by Black and Brown and/or working-class people. What could the £10mil Council Tax hike fund instead?

6/9) Instead of funding new officers, the Council Tax increase could fund 454 School-Based Counsellors. Evidence shows this could:

✅ Improve young people’s mental health & behaviour

✅ Reduce school exclusions

✅ Improve overall attainment and enjoyment of school

7/9) Instead of funding new officers, the Council Tax increase could fund 454 Youth Workers. Evidence shows this intervention helps young people develop positive social relationships; builds their confidence; improves decision making; & gives them an outlet to express themselves

8/9) Instead of funding new officers, the Council Tax increase could fund 400 Restorative Justice practitioners. Evidence shows this intervention: fosters meaningful dialogue; reducing reoffending; helps to repair harm; and builds a stronger sense of community

9/9) In a context where the police are failing to keep us safe, defunding is urgent. Instead, funding must be diverted to community-based programmes for public safety. We must build new ways of responding to harm & inequality, & enact new forms of justice

#NoPoliceInSchools