Pupils learn how to be “Junior Citizens”

Officers from Surrey Police and other agencies are gearing up for the annual Junior Citizen event which involves nearly 1,000 primary school pupils from Surrey Heath. The scheme runs for two weeks from 19 February – 2 March.

Once again the venue will be The Basingstoke Canal Centre in Mytchett Place Road, Mytchett, where the Year 6 pupils from 16 schools across the borough will spend half a day learning about personal safety, railway safety, safety in the home, fire hazards, how to make a 999 call, and more. Children will also learn about internet safety from Demon Internet. The scheme is made up of a number of workstations involving different tasks, which encourage children to actually deal with simulated situations involving everyday dangers. This is done under controlled conditions, safely and effectively; the aim being not only to educate but also to prepare them for anything they may face in real life.

The VIP Day is on Thursday 22 February when the Mayor of Surrey Heath, Councillor Keith Bush will visit Junior Citizen and talk to the children and the agencies involved. North West Surrey Police Neighbourhood Inspector Mark Adams along with staff from Surrey Heath Borough Council will also be attending.

Junior Citizen is a unique partnership between Surrey Police and outside agencies including Surrey Fire and Rescue, South West Trains, St. John Ambulance, Health Promotion Service, Surrey County Council, Demon Internet and the Basingstoke Canal Authority.

The event organiser, Youth Affairs Officer, PC Julian Crabbe of Surrey Police, said: "I always enjoy participating in Junior Citizen because the children get so much out of it. The event helps them to improve their decision making skills in relation to safety awareness. They learn by having hands-on, interactive and realistic scenarios to act out; while at the same time having lots of fun. I would particularly like to thank both The Basingstoke Canal Centre and Surrey Heath Borough Council for providing the facilities to hold Junior Citizen, because without them the event would not have been possible."

Junior Citizen started in 1991 and it operates throughout the county providing training for more than 5,000 children every year. It teaches those involved how to tackle the personal dangers that many children may face and by the use of education helps prevent them from becoming victims or becoming involved in crime. The event is designed to raise their awareness of these dangers in a fun and effective way, and by doing so it increases their own sense of personal safety.

The sessions run from 9am to 12noon and from 1pm to 3pm. Schools taking part include:

Camberley – Watchetts County Junior, Carwarden House School, Cordwalles Junior School and Crawley Ridge Schools.

Frimley and Frimley Green – Lakeside Community Primary School, Ravenscote County Junior, The Grove County Primary, St Augustine’s RC Primary and Frimley C of E School.

Lightwater – Hammond Junior School

Chobham - St Lawrence and Coworth-Flexlands

West End – Holy Trinity Primary School

Bagshot – Connaught Junior School

Bisley – Bisley Church of England School

Call 0845 125 2222 for all non-emergency policing matters.

Call 999 if you have a genuine emergency requiring the attendance of the police (eg a crime is in progress or someone is in immediate danger).

Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you have information about crime and don't want to leave your name.

For up-to-date news see our website at: www.surrey.police.uk

For more details please contact Judy Williams, Divisional Information Officer

E-mail 8228@surrey.pnn.police.uk

North West Surrey Police, Direct Line 01483 655785