Youngsters join Northumbria's mini police force

Pupils from schools across the force area - including Laygate Community Primary, South Shields and St Mary’s Primary School, Jarrow - have been assiting officers as they chat to the public and look after events.

Now, following the success of the first intake of youngsters, more schools have come on board putting their children forward to take on the role.

Since the scheme started the mini police have taken part in some of the region’s biggest events such as the Sunderland International Airshow.

At the airshow they played a their part in handing out security wristbands to children their own age and younger.

The wristbands included the contact details of the child’s parents or guardian so that if they did become separated they could quickly be reunited with them.

Superintendent Sarah Pitt was instrumental in launching Northumbria Police’s Mini Police.

She said: “Since we launched the scheme in April we’ve had a lot of interest in our mini police with people getting in contact to see how their children or school could get involved. It’s been a great success so far and we’re really pleased we’ve been able to extend it and welcome more children into the police family.”

As part of their training the mini police learned about the role of officers, crime prevention, water safety, healthy relationships and online safety.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Dame Vera Baird QC, said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for children to engage with their local communities and learn more about how our officers tackle crime and help people who need it. “It’s great that we have more youngsters signing up – I hope their involvement inspires them and they have lots of fun as new mini police recruits.”