Arresting visitors at West Lynn school

It was ‘Hello, hello, hello’ when pupils at a West Norfolk primary welcomed a visit from their friendly neighbourhood police.

PC Brand and a colleague joined 22 children at West Lynn Primary School, where the officers spoke about the role of the police and their day-to-day work in the community.

“They came to talk to the Reception children about the role of policemen and what things their job involves,” said Joanne Sewell, class teacher at West Lynn, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

“We talked about ‘stranger danger’ and put an emphasis on the police being there to help and support the community.

“PC Brand asked the children if they could tell him what they thought the police do, and the majority of the answers were ‘to catch bad people and put them in jail’. PC Brand said that was only part of the job – they find people or children who may have been lost, help at traffic accidents, and their role is to help and keep people safe.

“They discussed why the car has flashing lights and sirens. They also talked about what number you needed to call if you needed help.”

The children then had the opportunity to step into the visitors’ shoes, donning police uniform and taking turns to sit in the police officers’ car.

“They brought with them various bits of uniform and hats, and the children were able to dress up,” continued Miss Sewell, who also took part in the role play when she was ‘arrested’ by PC Brand as part of a demonstration to the pupils.

“As part of our PSHE [Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education], we look at people who help us, but I think it is also good for the children to gain a good understanding that the police are a positive thing,” she added.

“We have also been visited by the Fire Brigade and talked about the Coastguard, which helped embed the knowledge of the emergency services.”