TEACHERS and governors are being invited to a series of crime prevention seminars led by Lancashire Constabulary.

Lancashire County Council is issuing new security guidelines to schools in the wake of rising concerns over the safety of pupils and teachers.

Issues covered include risk perception, security of pupils and staff, arrangements for visitors, panic alarms, security of personal property, equipment and buildings, and measures to deal with trespassers.

Education chairman County Coun Stan Wright said: "These new and comprehensive guidelines have been prepared in consultation with the police."

He stressed the seminars were not in response to a particular problem in Lancashire, but because of national incidents.

Booklets are being distributed and teachers and governors are invited to attend seminars to be held this month at police headquarters in Hutton and at St Christopher's High School, Accrington.

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