The difference that community engagement can make was highlighted when neighbourhood police officers visited a school in Hatfield.

PCs Andrew Dockerill, Peter Hulley, Dan Moakes and Kelly-Jay Pettersson popped into Birchwood Avenue Primary School on Friday, March 10 as part of their community engagement duties.

The purpose was to boost the children’s trust in police and demonstrate to them that they can always approach officers for help. 

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Birchwood Avenue Primary School are shown a police vehicle. Birchwood Avenue Primary School are shown a police vehicle. (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary)

To aid the engagement, the officers from the Welwyn Hatfield Safer Neighbourhood Team brought along two police vehicles and some equipment - and these were met with great enthusiasm by the pupils.

There was even more enjoyment as the children got to take turns trying on the officers’ hats and jackets. 

The officers found that even by the end of the session, the youngsters had already grown in confidence and were less afraid to speak up and ask questions.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Pupils talking to a Herts police officer at Birchwood Avenue Primary School in Hatfield.Pupils talking to a Herts police officer at Birchwood Avenue Primary School in Hatfield. (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary)

PC Kelly-Jay Petterson said: “Both we and the children really enjoyed the visit.

"Naturally, the children were a little timid at the start, being faced with four uniformed police officers but by the end of the session they approached us with confidence, playing games and having fun. 

“They also asked lots of excellent questions and some of the children clearly showed potential as little police officers in the making!"

PC Petterson added: “We left the school pleased that the children had enjoyed our visit, and knowing that some, who were previously nervous about approaching the police, had gained a positive new perspective.

"We plan to re-attend on a more regular basis and have already scheduled further engagement sessions with the school for the coming months.

“If children grow up trusting the police, they will be more likely to come to us for help. Community engagement like this is such an important part of neighbourhood policing as it helps to create that trust.

“We are already looking forward to our next visit to Birchwood Avenue and seeing the children again.”

                                                                                                                                

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