Collector Cards Teach Youngsters All About the Police

HUNDREDS of schoolchildren across West Bromwich will soon be busy collecting cards and learning all about the police, thanks to the work of a police community support officer.

The youngsters are even being given an eye-catching poster so they can proudly display their set of 20 cards as they collect them - and get the message that the police are there to help.

PCSO Marina Walton, based at West Bromwich, had seen other card schemes, but wanted one where she could teach the youngsters as they collected.

After securing funding she set about creating the poster and 20 colourful cards showing different elements of police work, such as neighbourhood officers, the helicopter unit, dog teams, motorcycle officers and police cars.

After nine months of hard work she trialled the scheme in her first school last year and now the system is such a success it has spread to others and it is hoped that it will be in every primary school across the West Bromwich area.

The system works by PCSO Walton visiting schools and giving an assembly a week for 10 weeks. In each assembly she talks to youngsters about the images on two of the cards and answers any questions the youngsters may have.

Then, at the end of the day, teachers give out the cards to the eager pupils.

PCSO Walton said: "I wanted to do something a bit different, I didn't just want to give the cards out, I wanted to work with them in assembly.

"I wanted to get the message across that we are there for them and to tell them about PCSOs. When I first went into schools some children would shy away and be afraid and I wanted to get past that.

"Now they know we are there to look after them and they are talking to me in and out of school. I am really pleased with the success it's had and the way it's growing. I have had thank you cards off schools and the teachers love it, but for me the best bit is when you are out and about and a young child calls out your name to say hello."

The assemblies can also get different safety messages across - if the talk is on a police officer on a bike children are taught about the correct safety gear to wear; and when the picture shows a neighbourhood officer on patrol youngsters are taught what to look out for if they are lost or in need of help.

The assemblies have proved so popular that youngsters are desperate to know what cards are coming out the following week.

Now, as well as being set to spread to every primary school in the West Bromwich area, other parts of the West Midlands force are also looking on and it could soon be spreading across the region.

PCSO Walton is now training other officers in how to deliver the package to eager young collectors.