As children across Birmingham and the West Midlands return to school this week, West Midlands Police have issued new guidance to help parents ensure a safe start to the academic year. Officers will be on patrol around schools, commuting routes, greenspaces, and public transport to support a safe return for all pupils.
Police patrols and key safety messages
In a statement, the force said local officers will be “on patrol” as the school year commences, ensuring “everyone has a safe return.” The guidance urges parents with children heading to secondary school to speak to them about protecting valuables, travelling safely to and from school, and staying safe online.
Parents are encouraged to discuss safe routes and travel plans, talk to children about what to do in an emergency, secure valuables, get to know the new school, practise online safety, and maintain regular communication throughout the day.
Route planning and the buddy system
Officers suggest walking or driving the route to school with your child before term starts, pointing out safe places they can go if they need help. Tools such as ‘Find My Friends’ and Life360 are recommended for location-sharing. Parents are also advised to encourage children to walk to and from school with a friend or group whenever possible, avoid shortcuts through alleys or isolated areas—especially as evenings get darker—and be mindful of distractions on public transport, such as using phones or listening to music with both earbuds in.
Emergency preparedness and securing valuables
Police urge parents to remind children about stranger danger, ensure they have access to key emergency contacts, and remind them to call 999 in an emergency. Having a code word that only the family knows can help if someone else needs to pick up the child. Items like backpacks and headphones should be labelled with the child’s name to deter thieves, and parents are advised to limit valuables such as jewellery, expensive coats, smartphones, or large amounts of money. Enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) on phones is also recommended, as it makes it harder for criminals to access apps, cloud storage, and photos if the device is stolen.
School familiarity and reporting concerns
For children starting secondary school, parents should familiarise themselves and their child with teachers, the pastoral team, and school security staff. Every secondary school in the West Midlands has an assigned police schools officer. If anything concerning arises, parents are urged to report it to the school or to the police online.
Online safety and regular communication
Police advise children to use social media “mindfully,” avoiding sharing school routines or locations online. Accounts should be “private and monitored,” and children should be informed about cyberbullying and encouraged to report any online harassment. Hate crime can be reported at third-party reporting centres.
Establishing a routine of checking in with children after school—by phone call, text, or conversation—is recommended, along with keeping an “open line of communication” about daily experiences and safety concerns. The police added: “Talking to your child this week, and throughout the year, can help ensure your child has a safe and successful school year. We know sometime it can be difficult to talk so make sure you set aside enough time, or use videos or news stories to start the conversation. Our school’s officers are here to support your child and pupils have the best experience of school they can.”
