Youngsters learn crucial message at safety advice sessions

Date published: 29 September 2009

Over 800 children from 20 schools in Rochdale have taken part in the safety workshop, Crucial Crew.

The sessions which were carried out in Bury gave police, GMPTE, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and the Ambulance Service as well a number of partner agencies including Rochdale Borough Council, British Transport Police, Impact Road Safety and United Utilities the chance to promote messages around the importance of personal safety and security.

Those at the workshop were shown a series of different scenarios that had been acted out for them on the Crucial Crew set. Designed to look like a suburban street, the police set provides the scene for a personal robbery where a mobile phone is stolen.

During the role-play there was a discussion about what the children had seen and they were actively encouraged to take part by making an emergency call to the police. The children were then given advice on the best course of action before providing details of the incident as well as describing the offenders to a police community support officer.

Crime reduction advisor, Jackie Bell said: “The local authority community safety department has organised the workshops for children in Rochdale for more than 10 years. There has always been positive feedback about them from teaching staff and the children alike.

“Crucial Crew is a fun and innovative way of getting valuable safety and security messages across to the young children, who will hopefully remember what they have learnt and put this into practice in real life situations should the need arise.”

Crew commander Phil Greenwood of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said: “All of the pupils that have attended this year's sessions have been fantastic, we have really enjoyed teaching them.

“It's been great to see the children enjoying the inputs we provide especially as it helps us in breaking the barriers that may surround us.”

The two-week scheme held at the Interchange in Bury, ended on 25 September.