Children from three primary schools in Keyham came together to take part in a Devon and Cornwall Mini Police ‘Wildflower Meadow Project’ in the community with Pollenize, Devon Wildlife Trust and Keyham Police Community Team.
The latest primary school youngsters to take part in the Mini Police Scheme were Year 4 pupils from Drake Primary School. They joined forces with two other schools which have already completed the programme, for a joint social action day project.
A total of 75 children from the Mini Police at Keyham Barton, Drake Primary and Ford Primary schools, spent their social action session in North Down Crescent Park creating a small wildflower meadow.
The children got involved with sowing wildflower seeds from Pollenize’s Seeds for Schools projec and playing wildlife-themed games learning about bats, bees and other insects with Devon Wildlife Trust, before heading back to their schools.
The Mini Police also joined volunteers Ash and El from the Clean our Patch team for a litter pick around the park.
A photography post was also installed so anyone who spends time in North Down Crescent Park can get involved with showing how the wildflower meadow evolves over time.
The project in Keyham was overseen by PC Deborah Hart the youth engagement officer for Plymouth with Devon and Cornwall Police
She said:
“This programme gives children an opportunity to understand what’s involved in modern policing and to work with officers on a project that gives something back to their community. Each lesson is designed to increase their confidence and understanding of how to keep themselves safe.
“There are instances where, unfortunately children meet police in a difficult situation that might involve their family members. The aim of the mini police programme is to show those children that being involved with the police can be a positive experience and that they can work with us to improve education and issues that are impacting on their community.”
PC Hart added:
“The Mini Police from the school wanted to do something special for their local community and environment so together working with our partnership agencies and the Keyham Police Community team, we were able to make this happen, by creating a Wildflower Meadow and doing litter picking in their local area in North Down Crescent Park.”
All seeds and groundwork have been supported by Pollenize and Devon Wildlife Trust.
