Police quizzes to educate teens about crime

Police met with Year 7 and Year 8 students at Balderstone Technology College to quiz them about crime

Police met with Year seven and eight students as part of a personal development and community day at Balderstone Technology College to quiz them about crime. A Who Wants to be A Millionaire format was adopted and youngsters were educated about crimes and their consequences.

Topics discussed included weapons, anti-social behaviour, bullying, knife crime, burglary, bogus officials, drugs, assaults and gang culture.

PC Dave Gurr from Rochdale South Neighbourhood Policing Team praised the initiative: “As part of the Policing Pledge we are bringing the Neighbourhood Policing Team directly to the young people who form the community. This gives them the chance to get to know them and understand the role they play in the community and how they can support them and be supported by them.

“The day was a real success. It was a real eye opener for everyone to see the consequences of the crimes.”

Colin Lyle, head of citizenship and personal development curriculum at Springhill School, due to merge with Balderstone in September, added: “The personal development and community days are an opportunity for agencies such as the police, local authority and fire service to talk to the pupils and deliver workshops that can inform them about a range of areas from crime and safety to personal well being.

“It’s also a great way of breaking down barriers that may exist between young people and police.”