Teddies are ready to comfort upset kids
Community group donate trauma bears to police
Police in Paisley have a new tool to help children in distressing situations – thanks to natty knitters who donated special cuddly toys.
Response cops in the town will carry the Trauma Teddies in their patrol cars to give to youngsters during upsetting incidents.
The innovative scheme, which originated with Australian fire fighters, has become popular across the UK as a way of breaking down barriers between children and officers.
Police Scotland are working in partnership with the Children 1st charity to take the project across Scotland and Renfrewshire is the latest area to pick up on the idea.
Paisley Patchers group members knitted 170 of the cute bears, which are made to a special design, and recently handed them over to police for distribution.
Inspector Tracy Harkins, of Paisley Community policing team, believes the Trauma Teddies will have a positive impact on young people who come into contact with the police.
She said: “‘The scheme is a great way for local officers to establish a positive early impression with children they encounter during their tour of duty.
“On some occasions the first time a child meets a police officer is when they have been temporarily lost in public, are the victims of crime, have been involved in a road accident or have witnessed a distressing incident.
“This can leave young children with a negative lasting impression about the police.
“This initiative helps to ensure that children see police officers as someone they can trust and go to should the need arise.
“A kind gesture from a police officer can go a long way to reduce childhood trauma and build bonds of trust with police.
“Obviously, we couldn’t run this initiative without the help of individuals and clubs who have so far donated hundreds of teddies across Scotland.
“Our first batch of over 170 teddies were kindly knitted and supplied by Paisley Patchers and everyone at Paisley Police Office is extremely grateful for their efforts and kindness.
“In addition to Paisley Patchers we have received a number of teddies from members of the community who wanted to assist with the scheme.”
The initiative has been rolled out across Scotland after successful trials in England and Wales.
If you wish to knit your own Trauma Teddy, you can find the pattern at: https://bit.ly/2x5soIA
They can be handed in at Paisley Police Office.