Mini police in Midsomer Norton

Children from St John’s Primary have become Midsomer Norton’s first official Mini Police, receiving their qualification certificates at a special presentation held at the school recently. The children also received the Duke of Cornwall Community Safety Award in recognition of the knowledge and skills they had learnt during the course.

Handing out the awards was Sgt Lee Humphreys of Avon and Somerset Police and the Mayor of Midsomer Norton, Cllr Gordon Mackay. Also in attendance were local PCSOs Katie AllwoodCoppin, Glyn Samways and Paul Thatcher.

In a short speech before presenting the awards, Sgt Humphreys gave special thanks to PCSO Thatcher in recognition of the tremendous time, effort and enthusiasm he had given to the scheme.

Mini Police is an innovative police engagement programme, which is delivered in schools with the support of local Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). The scheme provides a fun and interactive way to introduce children to a positive experience of policing and to get them involved in the local community.

Schools can register their interest in the scheme at the website www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/forms/mps

The Duke of Cornwall Community Safety Award was launched in 2012 in response to significant flooding in Cornwall. The award aims to educate and train young people to assist before, during and after a crisis. It was developed to give young people in the UK an opportunity to learn what to do in an emergency situation, such as severe weather, a pandemic or long term power cut.

The award is open to young people between the ages of 5 and 18.

“Mini Police is a wonderful, inspiring idea,” stated Cllr Mackay, “and a great way to teach children about policing and safety in our town. We’re lucky have a really involved group of PCSOs in Midsomer Norton who take the time to make themselves known in the community. I think that’s so important.”