Children get a lesson in citizen safety

Police ran a week of lessons on personal safety and citizenship for more than 800 children who are about to move from junior to secondary school.

The 10 to 11-year-olds from 13 of the borough’s schools took part in role-play scenarios and discussion groups covering topics including stranger danger, bus and tube safety, gang awareness, home safety and first aid.

Participating in the “junior citizen” scheme were advisors from the Met Police, London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service as well as the NHS, the council and RNLI.

Awards

With classes split into teams, they were marked for their actions in the various scenarios and the winning team – from St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Barking – will be presented with their awards later this month.

PC Graeme Halloron of Barking and Dagenham Police said: “This multi-agency initiative helps to equip youngsters with the skills that they will need as they make the transtion from junior to secondary school.

“Through interaction they were encouraged to think about the consequences of the decisions they make, not only for themselves but for others too.”