‘Mini Police’ officers from schools across Warrington visited the home of the Warrington Wolves rugby team for a day of activity as a reward for all the work they have done to help fight crime in the town.
On Tuesday 24 September, around 100 children from the Warrington area, who form part of the Cheshire Constabulary Mini Police initiative, visited the Halliwell Jones Stadium, the home of the Warrington Wolves.
Led by the Wolves’ Community Foundation team, the pupils had a tour of the stadium, got to meet PC Panda, members of the Wolves squad, and were put to the test in several sporting activities, designed to develop their teambuilding and communication skills.
The children also learned how the foundation works within their local area through community engagement and bringing people from all backgrounds across the Warrington region together through the power of sport, which has tied to the community work they have been getting involved with as part of Mini Police.
Established in 2005, the Foundation is committed to “being the change” in the Warrington community, promoting inclusivity, well-being, and empowerment – all aspects of a harmonious community that Constabulary shares and promotes through its work with its partner organisations like the Wolves – through sporting activity.
Deputy Chief Constable Chris Armitt, joined by Warrington Area Commander Superintendent Adam Ross and Chief Inspector Neil Drum, also joined the Mini Police during the session, speaking to the pupils about their respective roles within the Constabulary and how they keep them and the wider Cheshire area safe, as well listening to children’s own stories and experiences as part of the Mini Police initiative.
Deputy Chief Constable, Chris Armitt, said: “I would like to thank the Warrington Wolves’ Community Foundation team and everyone at the Halliwell Jones Stadium who hosted our Mini Police here today and ensured they had a brilliant time.
“Our Mini Police should be very proud for how well they represented the Constabulary during the day of activities, which formed a part of the ongoing proactive community outreach initiative between Cheshire Constabulary and the Warrington Wolves Rugby Club.
“It is so important that young people feel that can come to police with any issues and know that we will do all we can to support them and, which is why events such as these are crucial in building the bridges between them and our officers.
“The Mini Police is a really special project that demonstrates our efforts in improving youth and community engagement across the town. This scheme allows the children to play an active role in keeping their communities safe and be proud of what they can achieve.”
Deputy Chief Constable Armitt shows a group of Mini Police his medal ribbons and explains what they represent
Superintendent Adam Ross, area Commander for Warrington, added: “It is a joy to have our Mini Police visit the Halliwell Jones Stadium and meet the team from Community Foundation and the Wolves themselves; the ongoing work our Warrington officers are doing alongside the Wolves helps to create real positive change within our town, making it a safer place for everyone.
“The key to positive and safe communities is a strong relationship between residents and their local policing teams and the Mini Police project has opened up the opportunity for some of our youngest residents to engage with everyone who calls Warrington home and be proud of where they live.
“It has ultimately made a difference to those who are part of this community.”
Peter Astley, Rugby League Community Development Officer, added: “Late great playwright Colin Welland once said “Rugby league provides our cultural adrenalin. It’s a physical manifestation of our rules of life, comradeship, honest endeavour.” This encapsulates the power of the game and how it can be a force for good in our communities.
“We are delighted that our Police colleagues recognise the potential for us working in partnership to help support our communities and were very happy to support this Mini-Police event at the Haliwell Jones Stadium.
“It was great to see the Mini-Police having such a fantastic time, they are a credit to their schools and the dedicated officers from Cheshire Police who support them.”
The Mini Police initiative sees children from across Cheshire take part in activities assisting the community by working with their local PCSOs throughout the school year and help to deliver important community messaging about road safety, littering and vandalism.
The initiative is funded by the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner and money seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
