Pupils form kids’ cop squad
CHESHIRE Constabulary has unveiled the force’s most recent team of 20 recruits in Runcorn.
The ‘Mini Police’ are all Year 5 pupils at Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School in Halton Brook and were welcomed to their roles by the county’s police and crime commissioner (PCC) David Keane.
A spokeswoman for Mr Keane said the youngsters will support officers to tackle issues affecting their neighbourhoods, and will also attend award ceremonies and events as ambassadors for the force.
Each recruit received a uniform, funded by the PCC and based on what their adult equivalents, so they will look the part and feel at home in the police.
The children have been assigned to look at three priorities for their area: littering and protecting the environment, helping vulnerable residents and road safety.
Runcorn’s Mini Police unit was the first to be unveiled in Cheshire.
They were sworn into their roles on Friday in an event at school, attended by Halton’s mayor and mayoress John and Marjorie Bradshaw, and representatives of other agencies.
The group marked the occasion by reading out pledges they had written themselves and they spoke with officers and saw vehicles in action.
All the work that the Mini Police do will be relayed via presentations and assemblies to their peers across all the other year groups within the school to encourage more pupils to take part and understand their neighbourhood’s key issues.
A video clip tweeted by Runcorn Local Policing Unit featured Mr Keane stressing that police officers are there to help chil- dren and not to tell them off.
Mr Keane said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to bring the successful Mini Police scheme to Cheshire.
“It’s a great engagement tool which provides school children with some fantastic opportunities to make their communities stronger, whilst giving them a positive experience of policing.
“I look forward to working with the new recruits and seeing them develop into active future.”
Police Community Support Officer Paul Barker, who is leading the scheme in Halton, said: “We have already begun working closely with children at Holy Spirit to discuss what issues within their community matter to them.
“They have set their own priorities and we will assist and guide them to get involved in the community in a meaningful, safe and age appropriate responsible citizens of and the way to begin to tackle the issues they identified.”
John McDonald, Holy Spirit’s headteacher, added: “We are very excited and value the opportunity to be working with Cheshire police on this amazing project. Already, the children are feeling empowered.
“They have begun setting their own priorities working alongside PCSO Paul and are looking forward to making an impact at school and in the community.
“Mini Police will form an important part of our curriculum and I am excited about the possibilities of where it could take the children’s learning. The Mini Police motto of ‘we’re here to help’ complements our school’s own catholic ethos and the school’s desire to encourage children to be active in social justice issues.
“Most importantly, I am sure the project will also be great fun for the many children involved.”