School children looked to the sky in wonder as they were given a practical demonstration of some cutting edge police technology.
The youngsters, from Mansfield’s Wainwright Primary Academy, were visited by an officer from the Nottinghamshire Police drone team on Friday morning.
Shortly before sitting down for a question and answer session with members of the school’s Mini Police squad, PC Paul Henson flew a lightweight drone high above the playing field to take a photograph of pupils arranged in the letters of the school’s initials.
PC Henson, one of nearly 20 officers trained to fly a police drone, explained how the machines were regularly used to find missing people and criminal suspects.
He said: “I really enjoy these kind of visits. It’s a really rewarding side of the job and I was pleased to be able to help the school with their idea of an aerial photo.
“The children really seemed to enjoy learning more about our drones and also asked some really good questions about our work.
“These kinds of visits are about introducing children to the police at a young age and breaking down any barriers that may exist.
“That’s important because these children really are the police officers of the future. So if we can inspire them and interest them in our work that can only be a good thing.”
The Nottinghamshire Mini Police is an engagement scheme designed to give young children the opportunity to learn about their safety, their role within their community and how the police work within the community to keep people safe.
As a member of the mini police scheme, Wainwright Primary Academy receives regular visits from officers who come and talk about their work.
Julia Hallam, of Wainwright Primary academy, said:
“We’ve really been honoured by this visit. It was wonderful to get the whole academy involved in this, and it was great to see the look on the faces of the children as the drone was in the air.
“I even heard one of our youngest foundation pupils saying ‘the drone was amazing’ which was really nice.
“I would like to thank everyone at Nottinghamshire Police for this visit and for everything else they are doing to support the academy.
“We have taken so much from the Mini Police initiative and it really has changed the children’s perception of the police.”
