Progressive Coalition policy targets poor schools

Police and social workers would work in almost 300 of the poorest schools under a youth policy launched yesterday by Progressive Coalition deputy leader Matt Robson and backed by one of his former pupils at Tangaroa College, sevens rugby captain Eric Rush.

Mr Robson said police, health professionals, social workers and special-needs teachers would work together at 281 decile-one schools to help children who were in trouble and prevent them turning to crime. The initiative would cost $18.5 million.

Rush, who studied law with Mr Robson, belongs to Team One, a project in which sports stars visit prisons to try to help young people.

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