28
May
2014
By Calvin at 14:59 GMT, 9 years ago
Cumbria Constabulary is launching their Junior PSCO scheme county-wide in a bid to educate and involve young people over the summer months.
The scheme, which has run for a number of years in the west of the county, sees up to twenty youngsters per Neighbourhood Policing Team area from across the county become Junior PCSOs.
During the scheme they will attend a wide-range of events put on by Police and partner agencies. Here they will learn vital skills such as first aid, whilst hopefully having a summer to never forget.
The majority of the activities will take place over the summer holidays but in some areas introductory events will start in the May half-term.
The children involved are all Year Five and Six students, aged 10-11, and will be kitted out in Junior PCSO uniforms and will receive workbooks which they will complete throughout the process. This year the selection process was conducted through local schools, where youngsters designed posters on what their own community means to them.
Inspector Jon Sherlock said: “The purpose of the scheme is to encourage good citizenship and promote pride in the community. The scheme will also hopefully be part of a long-term sustainable solution to help prevent anti-social behaviour in the local communities.
“Young people can be drawn into anti-social behaviour during summer months and it is something that we, as a Constabulary, proactively aim to prevent with diversionary activities and initiatives.
“On top of that this is a great chance for these youngsters to develop skills which may help them in their future and their involvement in the poster competition gives them an experience which few of their peers will have done. The experiences they have will also be of benefit as they prepare for secondary school.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Richard Rhodes said: “The Junior PCSO scheme is a great opportunity for young people to gain a better understanding of the role of the police in the community and the impact of antisocial behaviour. I look forward to meeting the new recruits.”
A list of activities that the Neighbourhood Policing Teams will be conducting with their Junior PCSOs is viewable online at www.cumbria.police.co.uk/juniorpcso.
You can also follow the progress under #juniorpcso
TCPW Comment: A quick search of the internet shows numerous schemes in operation up and down the country and each of the schemes do differ in their activities. However, they all share a common objective of promoting social crime prevention and teaching our young people about good citizenship. Above all those taking part will no doubt have great fun too!
