Eleven primary schools have joined Cumbria Constabulary’s Mini Police programme taking the total to 31 schools across the county.
As the new school year progresses, the Constabulary is delighted to welcome the following schools to the Mini Police programme:
- Beckstone Primary School, Workington
- Bransty Primary School, Whitehaven
- Derwent Vale Primary School, Workington
- Distington Community School, Distington
- Flimby Primary School, Flimby
- Parkside Academy, Barrow
- Richmond Hill Primary School, Aspatria
- Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Barrow
- St. George’s C of E Primary School, Barrow
- St. Pius X Catholic Primary School, Barrow
- Yarlside Primary School, Barrow
Mini Police, which has been running in Cumbria since 2018, aims to build trust and confidence with both young people and the wider community.
Mini Police is a fun and interactive volunteering opportunity for 9-to-11-year-old children. Led by school staff and supported by police, children will learn about policing issues, staying safe and undertaking some volunteering activity in support of a local policing priority.
Sergeant Tamara Tatton, Cumbria Constabulary’s Citizens in Policing team, said:
“Mini Police is a fantastic programme which provides police an opportunity to engage with young people, and for those young people to forge relationships with their communities.
“As well as being educational, the programme will allow pupils the chance to positively make a difference, and in turn, we hope this makes them feel some ownership and pride in the areas in which they live.
“We have found in recent years that children who have taken part in the Mini Police programme have grown in confidence, built friendships and acquired new skills.
“We are delighted that further schools have joined the programme and looking forward to working with our new Mini Police recruits in the coming months.”
Kevin McGoldrick, Headteacher at St. Pius X Catholic Primary School in Barrow, said:
“We feel privileged to have been selected to be part of Cumbria Constabulary’s Mini Police project. This is something I’ve been keen to establish at St Pius X since my first year of headship at the school in 2017, when I first learnt about the project.
“I’m excited for our pupils to work closely with the police and wider community to form positive relationships and develop an understanding of what a good citizen looks like. Our pupils are extremely enthusiastic and passionate about the project and can’t wait to get started.”
Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Mike Johnson, said: “It’s fantastic to see more schools getting involved in the Mini Police programme.
“The scheme is a great way to increase the confidence of young people in themselves and in the police, and provides the opportunity for both to engage more with the wider community.”
