Children learn 'crucial' lessons in safety

Children in the 'saving lives' activity

Thousands of children across the borough are joining a new gang – The Crucial Crew – where it’s cool to know how to stay safe, save lives and be sensible.

Year 6 pupils have been attending interactive sessions put on by emergency and safety services including; Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue, North West Ambulance Trust, GMPTE, British Transport Police, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, Impact Partnership and the council’s community safety team.

Meanwood Primary School’s year 6 pupils have taken part in the seven 10 minute activities. Each session explored a different topic such as; how to put someone in the recovery position, what to do if they discover a fire, the importance of being seen when it goes dark and how to make an emergency 999 call. But they also received crucial lessons in personal safety, how to stay safe whilst riding the bus and the impact of antisocial behaviour.

Peter Egan, lead coordinator for the event and Pennine’s Community Safety Officer, said: “It’s very different from the classroom and children seem to be able to retain the important messages in each scenario for many years. This is because the interactive teaching methods are so memorable as well as being a lot of fun.”

This year over 2600 children from across Rochdale borough have attended the learning centre in Bury and as such are now fully-fledged members of the Crucial Crew.

Dale Mulgrew, cabinet member responsible for community safety at Rochdale Borough Council, added: “The crucial crew events teach youngsters important social lessons that equip them with vital information to help them lead safer and more responsible lives.”