'Substantial' increase in number of police-led lessons in Leeds and West Yorkshire schools
‘It starts with empowering our children and young people with knowledge, key values and skills to make safe, informed choices’
There has been a “significant increase” in the number of police-supported school lessons in Leeds and West Yorkshire.
Pol-Ed, which provides the lessons in the region, has announced that over 20,000 lessons have been delivered across schools since September (2025), marking a significant increase in engagement with police-led education across the region.
Delivered in partnership with West Yorkshire Police, Pol-Ed provides curriculum-linked, age-appropriate lessons for pupils from Early Years (aged 4) through to Key Stage 5 (Post-16). The programme supports schools to address key Personal Social Health Education (PSHE) themes including online safety, respectful relationships, consent, safeguarding, and understanding the role of the police.
This milestone represents substantial growth compared to the same period last academic year, when 4,254 lessons were delivered across West Yorkshire schools, and is being put down to the “growing confidence” that schools have in Pol-Ed resources and continued embedding of the programme into everyday PSHE provision.
Pol-Ed’s flexible model allows lessons to be delivered by teachers or by trained police officers and offers an opportunity to “support early intervention, build resilience, and help children and young people make informed, safe choices”.
‘Empowering children with knowledge’
Sir John Robins QPM DL, Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police, said: “We established Pol‑Ed because we recognised that early intervention and prevention starts with education. It starts with empowering our children and young people with knowledge, key values and skills to make safe, informed choices.
“Our vision for Pol‑Ed has been for it to grow into a truly collaborative, progressive and consistent programme that supports schools in keeping children and young people safe, therefore strengthening communities across West Yorkshire.
“To see that vision not only turned into action, but reach such a significant milestone, is an extraordinary achievement. I am immensely proud of everyone involved and of the lasting impact Pol‑Ed is having on the lives of young people across our county.”
‘Growing engagement’
Amy Watkins, Head of Pol-Ed, said: “Delivering 20,000 lessons since September is a fantastic achievement and reflects the commitment of schools and officers working together across West Yorkshire. When compared with last year’s figures, it clearly shows growing engagement and the value schools place on consistent, preventative education.”
West Yorkshire schools continue to access a wide range of Pol-Ed lessons and assemblies designed to align with statutory guidance and respond to real-world issues affecting children and young people today.
As Pol-Ed continues to develop, the focus remains on supporting schools with high-quality, relevant resources that strengthen safeguarding practice and promote positive outcomes for young people across the region.