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School pupils from across Ferryhill and West Cornforth have been honoured by Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen after scooping gold in a new crime prevention scheme.
Dozens of primary school children from the area have secured gold awards in the Commissioner’s Challenge – a new interactive educational project to boost awareness of safety risks facing young people.
The children have taken part in a host of crime prevention activities over recent weeks including litter picking, safe road practices and property marking with UV marker pens, working their way through bronze, silver and gold badges. The project is run across three key safety modules: Keeping Our Family, Friends and Neighbours Safe, Keeping Our Streets Safe and Keeping Ourselves Safe.
The pupils’ efforts were recognised at a celebration ceremony at Police Headquarters, Aykley Heads, on Wednesday hosted by the PCC and attended by key force personnel and the High Sheriff of County Durham Anne Elliott.
Commissioner Allen launched the Commissioner’s Challenge earlier this year in conjunction with community organisation Approach Too to give children and young people a bigger voice in their communities and encourage them to influence the issues that impact their safety.
It was developed in response to last year’s Crime Survey, completed by the Commissioner’s Ambassadors for Community Change, who polled more than 700 children and adults on their crime prevention knowledge to identify any gaps in awareness. The Commissioner’s Challenge is aimed at covering these important areas to help build resilience within the community and prevent future harm.
More than 140 school pupils from five primary schools across Ferryhill and West Cornforth have taken part alongside mentors from Ferryhill School, with many already earning their gold awards.
Commissioner Allen said: “I have been amazed at the dedication and speed with which these youngsters have sailed through the accreditation process. Their professionalism and passion really are something to behold and I’m delighted to recognise their achievements today.
“Young people take community safety very seriously and are not afraid to voice their solutions to common problems. We can learn a lot from their insight, and I hope my Commissioner’s Challenge will continue to give young people a platform to make the changes they want to see in their world.
“Everyone who has secured their gold award and those working hard towards it deserve the highest recognition and praise. My warmest congratulations go to all those involved, and I would like to thank them for helping to keep Ferryhill and the surrounding areas safe.”
Glenys Newby of Approach Too, added: “The Ambassadors for Community Change, School Leaders and Year 5 pupils have worked so hard on the Commissioner’s Challenge, from developing and designing the project to doing proactive work in the home and community, all to help Ferryhill become a little bit safer.
“The support and encouragement support we have had from Joy, the Durham Police and Crime Commissioner’s team and the Neighbourhood Police has made the Commissioner’s Challenge an amazing success. We now have Year 4 pupils chomping at the bit to take part next year too!”
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