Police-d to meet you! Officer visits Primary School

PC James Smith visits children at Gaywood Primary.

Neil Mindham, Executive Headteacher at the school says the children 'thoroughly enjoyed' the visit.

PC James Smith met more than 360 pupils, from Reception to Year 6.

Mr Mindham says that he, “Led sessions with Years 3 and 4 on mobile phone and online safety, Years 5 and 6 on county lines, and Years 1 and 2 on ‘how the police help us’."

Formerly Safer Schools Officer within the Safer Schools Partnership, PC Smith is now one of two neighbourhood police officers working to engage, educate, and support children and young people across Gaywood, Faistead, and Reffley.

Mr Mindham says, “The children thoroughly enjoyed the interactive nature of the sessions – especially the question-and-answer opportunities where they could ask PC Smith questions directly about his job and uniform.

“The younger children in Years 1 and 2 particularly liked learning ‘how the police help us’ and seeing the officer in uniform."

The schools says events like this are extremely important to establish positive relationships and trust between children and the police, and help provide vital, age-appropriate education on safety and the role of the force.

The Executive Headteacher adding, “Crucially, meeting an officer like PC Smith in a familiar, school setting helps demystify the police role, making officers approachable, and reinforcing that they are trusted figures children can turn to for help.”

Images all Ian Burt