This page was last updated at Friday, January 15, 2010

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Youngsters from the Heather Road Estate in Blackfield, who are taking part in Hampshire Police’s junior police community support officer (PCSO) scheme, will be paying a visit to Hardley fire station on Monday, January 18.

After having a tour of the station and a look around the fire engines, the children will be given some fire prevention advice from members of Hampshire Fire and Rescue.

The 16 junior PCSOs, who are between the age of five and 15, have been taking part in a range of activities, including litter picking and delivering crime prevention leaflets, to help improve the area in which they live.

They have also been learning about safety and the role of the police. They paid a visit to Hythe police station earlier this month to listen to a personal safety talk by PC Adrian Woodhead.

The scheme aims to break down barriers between children and the police and give them a sense of pride and responsibility for the area in which they live.

As well as giving the children something to do which is both rewarding and beneficial to the community, it is also hoped that raising their social awareness at an early age could help reduce anti-social behaviour on the estate in the long-term.

PCSO Bev Hayes, who launched the scheme in Heather Road, said: “Through the junior PCSO scheme we’ve been able to channel the children’s energy into something positive, which gets them working as a team and builds their confidence while benefiting the community at the same time. We’ve had a great response from the children and their parents so far.”

Chief Constable Alex Marshall said: “This will really help the way children view the police. We’re already seeing a different attitude towards the police. It’s building mutual respect and a really good understanding of the police and other agencies locally.

In the long term this is a healthy way of breaking down barriers between uniformed policing and local people.”

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