Hundreds of schoolchildren have learnt all about rural and wildlife crime after taking part in a safety awareness event.
Nottinghamshire Police delivered a series of educational sessions at Sconce and Devon Park in Newark and Vicar Water Country Park in Clipstone between June 10 and 21, as part of a wider event.
Officers and schoolchildren engaged in a roleplaying scenario to learn about what types of behaviour are appropriate in a public place, and how to look after the environment, wildlife, and green spaces.
Children were taught about littering and when it may be considered an offence, and not to use slingshots to target wildlife and birds.
Each group then put their new knowledge to the test by taking part in a game where they answered different questions from officers and indicated their answers by walking to the correct cone.
Around 1,000 schoolchildren took part in the sessions across the two weeks.
Inspector Charlotte Ellam, District Commander for Newark and Sherwood said: “We’re really pleased to be able to work with our local partners on this important education project for young people across Newark and Sherwood.
“Our officers held sessions around rural and wildlife crime each day across the two weeks, which we estimate around 1,000 schoolchildren attended and benefited from.
“It is really important that we engage with, and educate, impressionable schoolchildren to help them understand what types of behaviour are acceptable to be an upstanding member of our communities and equip them with the life skills necessary to keep themselves safe.
“Keeping people safe is our top priority as a police force, so we’re always keen to get involved in anything like this that can make a positive difference to our communities.”
Also delivering activities and talks during the sessions were Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, Newark and Sherwood District Council’s park rangers, VIA road safety, Hope Nottingham, which operates food banks across the city, Newark Community First Aid, Sherwood Forest, and the RNLI.
The force’s roleplay scenario was well-received by the enthusiastic children, who also had the opportunity to ask the officers questions, try on police hats, and check out one of the force’s off-road four-by-fours as part of the engaging sessions.
Matthew Finch, director of communities and environment at Newark and Sherwood District Council said: “These sessions are a great way to educate and inform people about safety and really getting those important messages across in an interactive way that people can enjoy as they learn.
“As always it is fantastic to work with our partners to improve our communities and create a safe Newark and Sherwood.”
