Goody bags for good work
14 December 2009
The Chairman of Essex Police Authority played Santa Claus on Wednesday, December 9 when Christmas came early for helpful school children in Harlow.
Chairman Robert Chambers arrived at the William Martin School, Harlow with a sack of goody bags to give to around 40 students who have been helping to improve their area by working with local officers.
One youngster exclaimed when being handed his goody bag; “This is nearly as good as seeing Santa Claus!”.
Neighbourhood Specialist Officer Pc Rob Hance has been working closely with students at the school to educate them on personal safety and crime prevention. The young people have also been having their say about issues in the area that they believe to be policing priorities.
Pc Rob Hance said; "The kids have been fantastic they really do want to help and have strong opinions on a number of issues. It really is beneficial for us to know what their top priorities are so that we can address them and show them that we take their views seriously."
Robert Chambers said; “We like to hear from as many people as possible as the views of the people of Essex are extremely valuable to us and will ultimately help shape policing in Essex in the future.
It is refreshing and interesting to hear what the younger members of our community think and want from us. It is great that kids like this really care about their area and are working with their local officers to make it even better”.
Over the last year the keen students at William Martin School have designed and published posters to help stop dog fouling and graffiti around town. They are also being sent home with a Christmas assignment to take photographs of things they love about Harlow and things that they do not like so much for a two week event taking place in February called “love Harlow”.
Also at the school today spreading festive cheer was Tracey Gray, Safer Harlow Partnership Co-ordinator from the Harlow Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.
Photo from left to right: PCSO Kelly Mascal, Harlow Council Community Safety officer James Dickinson, Teacher Mrs Sally Butler, Chairman of Essex Police Authority Robert Chambers, Pc Rob Hance, Safer Harlow Partnership Co-ordinator Tracey Gray and Essex Police Cadet Sophie Abbott.