Success for Junior Citizen event

BY BUZZ

PC Tim Emery with pupils of Whitelands Park Primary School as they're taught about anti-social behaviour

Children from primary schools across West Berkshire were invited to attend the Junior Citizen event at Yattendon Estate last month.

More than 400 were said to have attended the event which was organised by Education Business Partnership West Berkshire and sponsored by the Town Councils of Newbury and Thatcham. The event aims to raise awareness among 10 to 11-year-olds about the dangers they may face in their community and the correct safety measures to take.

Local organisations involved included Thames Valley Police and PCSO’s, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, West Berkshire Road Safety and St Johns Ambulance.

The Year 6 pupils were taught about a range of issues including how to put someone in the recovery position and make a 999 call, road safety, food labelling and healthy eating and how to deal with domestic and stray animals. They also learned about the newer dangers facing children today such as talking online, social networking and cyber bullying.

PC Tim Emery of Thames Valley Police said “The police are always happy to be involved in Junior Citizen. Year 6 is a really important transitional year in their education and it is nice to put safety at the top of the agenda.”

Sarah Taylor, a teacher from Basildon Primary School, commented “This is such a useful event because the children can talk to professionals about various dangers and how they can protect themselves and others. It’s a fantastic idea for children to be trained in what to do in case of an emergency, and to form a positive relationship with the emergency services.”

The event usually takes places twice a year, once in the Summer Term and once in Autumn Term if funding is secured.