Information on Loughborough

Young detective

Posted on 11/10/2007
Loughborough Newsdesk

police at Loughborough Primary SchoolBeing taught about safety is an essential part of growing up and in order to engage primary school childrens interest and making learning fun a new look, eye catching Young Detective pack has been designed to encourage primary school children in Loughborough to become Leicestershire Constabularys newest and youngest recruits.

At a special assembly which was held last Tuesday (9th October 2007), the Youth Initiatives Officer, Police Constable Mark Burns met pupils at the Church of England School on William Street in Loughborough and talked to them about the new packs; whats involved and how they can become a Young Detective. 

He talked to them about a variety of topics such as:

  • crime prevention,
  • graffiti and criminal damage,
  • stranger danger,
  • post coding property,
  • internet safety,
  • personal safety.

The children were given a number of tasks including post-coding their property and passing on the knowledge they had learned to others such as their parents and friends. 

They were also given a notebook to record information, a ruler, key ring and plastic card which reminds them to promise to do all they can to protect people and property from crime, where they live, play and go to school. The packs are bright yellow and green and have cartoon characters of a police officer and detective on them.

The scheme aims to raise awareness of crime prevention, highlight personal safety issues and reduce the risk of house burglaries. The youngster will be asked to carry out a home security review of their house highlighting to their parents areas where extra security measures, such as window doors and locks, could be used.

Once theyve finished the tasks officers will return to the school and the pupils will receive a certificate to prove they are a Young Detective.

Police Constable Mark Burns said, "Engaging young children in the work of the police is really important. It helps them gain a better understanding of what the police do and helps us to communicate vital crime prevention and safety messages to them.  They also have to involve their family and friends in the project which also helps to spread the message."

"We hope that these new eye catching packs will appeal to the young people and encourage them to think about crime prevention, personal safety and pass the message on to members of their family."