Youngsters involved in a mini police scheme in Northallerton are dressed for success thanks to a housing association’s community grant scheme.
The scheme, launched this year, allows youngsters to dress up in uniforms and learn about policing issues, staying safe and undertaking some volunteering work.
And recruits in Northallerton certainly look the part after a grant from Broadacres’ Community Development Fund helped to buy high viz tunics and caps for the children.
Delivered by Police Community Support Officer Dougie Beveridge, the scheme aims to get youngsters involved in community activities and instil confidence in their local policing teams.
Aligned to the primary school curriculum, the scheme runs for ten weeks and covers topics including crime prevention, internet safety, safe strangers and anti-bullying – as well as encouraging random acts of kindness.
Children also learn about the criminal justice process though a mock court case.
The sessions are delivered by Northallerton Police Safer Neighbourhood Team to children in years 5 and 6 and then cascaded down to the rest of the school by the mini police.
“The children will also be involved in activities to enhance community pride such as litter picking, road safety and intergenerational opportunities,” said PCSO Beveridge.
“The hi-viz vest and baseball caps are important because they give the children a sense of ownership and responsibility so this funding is very welcome.”
The first school to take part was South Otterington Primary and mini police is now bring rolled out across other schools in the Northallerton area.
“We are very pleased with the way it has worked out,” said PCSO Beveridge. “It has given us insight into how the police are perceived by young people and encouraged young people to take responsibility for their local community.”
South Otterington headteacher Amanda Gledhill added: “We have a focus on how everyone can be an ethical leader and doing the right thing including when no-one is watching.
“The project fits in well with that and the children have enjoyed it.”
Be the first to comment