Pupils at a Morecambe primary school learnt all about the work of the canine cops after receiving a visit from three police dogs.
The special session, held at Westgate Primary School, in Langridge Way, was held to mark the youngsters’ final youth PACT meeting of their summer term.
The Year 5 and 6 pupils meet fortnightly with members from the Westgate area’s neighbourhood policing team to learn more about what officers do and to improve community relationships.
This year the children have learnt about stranger danger, tackled issues relating to alcohol and drug use, talked about the implications of criminal damage and learnt about the importance of reporting crime to the police. They have also got the opportunity to take each other’s fingerprints, try on police uniforms, see their teacher ‘arrested’ and raise money for charity along the way.
During the last session, the children met a police dog handler and got to see how a police Alsatian had been trained to chase and ground running criminals – demonstrated by local community beat manager PC Sean Brady, who was clad in protective clothing. The pupils were introduced to an Alsatian puppy that was in training to be a police dog and also saw spaniel Scooby sniff out drugs that had been hidden by his handler.
Year 6 pupil Chelsea McClymont, aged 11, said: “It’s fun to get to do lots of different activities with the police because we learn a lot about what they do and get to meet the people who work near our school.”
Teaching assistant Dawn Altham added: “The youth PACT meetings have really helped the children develop a good relationship with the local officers so they aren’t afraid to approach them if they have any concerns. It has also helped the parents get to know the members of the neighbourhood team. The activities are enjoyable – so the children have fun while learning some important lessons.”
The scheme, which has run for two years, is due to start again in the September term.
PCSO Angie Hall said: “It has been a really good year and the children have learnt a lot. The sessions have made the local officers and PCSOs seem more approachable, which has had a positive impact on community relations.”
Post a comment