A new mini PCSO scheme, where pupils support their local community officers, is to be developed in Warrington thanks to funding from police and crime commissioner (PCC) David Keane.
Pupils from Barrowhall Lane, Chapelford and Old Hall primary schools will be given the opportunity to support their local PCSO Neil Samuel in making the area outside the schools safer.
The children will play an important role in improving road safety at school drop-off and pick-up times by working with the local police team and teachers to hand out leaflets to warn motorists of the dangers of speeding and inconsideration parking.
The funding has come from the commissioner’s Community Police Fund. It will help purchase a mini PCSO uniform, that’s loosely based on a regular police uniform, so they will look the part and feel like they are part of the policing family.
The scheme will be similar to the national mini police scheme which has successfully been implemented at other schools across the county, including two in Runcorn and Wilmslow.
PCC David Keane said: “Initiatives that engage with young people, like mini police and this scheme, present some fantastic opportunities to make our communities stronger by giving young people a positive experience of policing.
“We know that road safety around our schools is an issue for many areas in Cheshire. This scheme will allow the children to teach their peers and parents why it’s important to drive and park safely at school times.”
The Community Police Fund is a new fund that has been provided to all 122 policing communities in Cheshire. Community police officers and PCSO have been working with local residents to develop bids of up-to £1,000 to fund projects which address local issues.
The fund has been developed using money seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act (PoCA) 2002. It also links directly to the recently launched initiative to increase police visibility in every community by providing a dedicated Police Constable and PCSO for all 122 areas.
This particular funding will benefit the policing community of Whittle Hall and Chapelford. Further funding has also been awarded to Appleton’s local police team in south Warrington to support a similar school road safety scheme there.
