Police help make the courtroom come alive for Bury pupils

Date published: 23 February 2010

Police helped pupils from a Bury school convert their classroom into a courtroom as part of a unique interactive event.

Officers from Bury Division joined the Greater Manchester Criminal Justice Board at Philips High School in Whitefield for a special workshop which aimed to help GCSE law students better understand the inner workings of the criminal justice system.

The event was organised after teacher Tim Regan asked police to give a talk to his pupils highlighting the procedures officers followed when arresting a suspected offender.

Following the request, Criminal Justice Inspector Martyn Stanhope put together a special workshop which saw PC Andy Ferguson from the Prestwich Neighbourhood Policing Team talk about the police’s powers of stop and search and CPS solicitor Kirsty Walls give a presentation on the process leading to the charging of offenders.

Three local magistrates were also on hand to give the benefit of their experience and expertise.
The pupils were given the chance to pass sentence on a variety of court cases - ranging from breach of an ASBO to affray - using ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’-style keypads.

Inspector Martyn Stanhope said: "The young people responded very well to what was a brief run through the criminal justice system. They posed some very good questions and seemed to particularly enjoy the interactive element built into the presentation. I am hoping to run more sessions in the future and if any other schools are interested I would urge them to contact me.”

Teacher Tim Regan said: “The event was excellent and listening to people talk who actually carry out these roles in the criminal justice system really made the subject come alive for the pupils. Having the event in the school setting also gave them the chance to raise issues and ask question of the police which they might not have other wise had the chance to do.”

If any other schools would like to get involved email Inspector Martyn Stanhope at martyn.stanhope@gmp.police.uk