Year 4 pupils at The Olive School, Small Heath have become Junior Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) as part of an innovative scheme run by West Midlands Police.
A special graduation ceremony was held at the end of November which concluded the project which has seen 10 weekly lessons held, each tackling a different subject of concern around the community.
The programme aims to educate children and empower schools to tackle issues such as parking, bullying and litter around their school sites. By raising awareness of the dangers that exist in and around schools, the initiative sees schools working with the police and their local communities to create safer environments for all.
From parking responsibly to staying safe online, PCSOs from the local Yardley police force have delivered a series of lessons to teach pupils about their personal safety and how they can encourage others to help make their community a safer place.
Inspired by the programme, pupils have taken part in a litter pick to improve the environment around the school. The Year 4 pupils have also designed their own parking tickets to educate drivers about the dangers of inconsiderate parking.
The next stage of the newly-appointed Junior PCSOs’ plans to improve school safety will see them join local police officers on their patrols outside the school at the beginning and end of the school day.