Police in Barnet visited a school for children with learning difficulties to learn about autism.

Ten police officers, Police Community Support Officers and safer school officers from Hale and Golders Green Safer Neighbourhoods Policing Teams attended the session, which was carried out by volunteers and staff at Oak Lodge School in Heath View, East Finchley.

The session was aimed at helping them understand the impact of conditions on the autism spectrum

PC Ricky Osei-Tutu from the Hale Safer Neighbourhoods Policing Team, who organised the training, said: "We found that despite the extensive initial and on-going training we receive as police officers, this was a very specific area which we wanted to learn more about to assist us in understanding those with autism and the effects it can have to everyday life. The training was extremely beneficial and very informative." 

Ginny D'Odorico, assistant headteacher for autism at the school, said: “Working together with our colleagues across services in this way will support our young people to develop the skills and knowledge they require in order to function in society as independently as possible.

“The police visit to the school also served as an opportunity to develop our students’ conceptual understanding of the role of the police officer in the community as a source of support.”