Safety first for schoolchildren

SCHOOLCHILDREN had a “wail” of a time during a visit by police officers to teach them about road safety, especially when crossing busy roads.

The youngsters in reception and Years 1 and 2 at Southtown First School enjoyed activating the siren on one of the force's vans and had a go with a speed gun, while sitting on a parked police motorbike during the visit on Tuesday.

But the eight PCSOs and two police officers from North Yarmouth Safer Neighbourhood Team were also there to deliver a serious message about the importance the pupils stay safe when crossing the road and wear the right clothing during darker winter months.

Sgt Iain McNaugher said the police held the school safety week every year and officers would visit several schools during a five day period.

During this safety week, which began on Monday , the team were also due to stop at Alderman Swindell First, Greenacre School, Northgate St Andrews First and Cobholm Infant School.

But the sessions were not just designed to teach the children, as the officers also had the opportunity to find out about any safety improvements that could be made in streets around the schools.

They could then ask the councils to carry out the necessary improvements- for example, if better signs were needed around the school.

PCSO Dave Slater said although high schools had dedicated police officers visiting on a regular basis, the police rarely had the opportunity to visit younger children so the safety week provided the perfect opportunity to do so.

“It has been very well received by the teachers and mums and dads as well. We have made a difference. If we have got people thinking about safety then we have achieved our aim.

“We are trying to spread the road safety message as widely as possible and we will be appearing on ITV as well,” Sgt McNaugher said.