§ Ms Janet AndersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the use of private security guards in schools. [24884]
§ Mr. Robin SquireWhether or not to employ security guards is a matter for schools and local education authorities to decide in the light of their assessment of security risks and the range of measures which can be taken to reduce those risks in the circumstances of each school. I am aware that some schools do employ such staff, mainly for security patrols outside school hours. The Department produces guidance on a range of security measures for schools, including the use of security guards.