A PCSO is helping to build trust with young children by reading them stories with a “hugely popular” police teddy bear.
‘Storytime with Bobbi Bear’ is now a regular feature at St Joseph’s Nursery School in Nottingham city centre, as well as at Once Upon a Time day nursery.
The sessions are run by local PCSO Sue Rutter, who is passionate about showing children that the police are friendly people whom they can always approach.
While the pre-school children are always happy to see Sue, the neighbourhood officer admits the star attraction is always her cuddly companion.
“I don’t think the children really want to see me; I think they want to see Bobbi!” explained Sue. “He’s hugely popular with the children and gets an amazing reaction wherever he goes.
“We start each storytime by waking Bobbi up and bringing him out of his bag. Every time, it makes the children very excited, and they shout, ‘Bobbi’s here, Bobbi’s here!’
“It’s lovely to see. They absolutely love Bobbi, and they’re really sad when he has to go, so I always promise them that we’ll come back.
“The children really look forward to seeing Bobbi each week.”
As well as reading stories to the young children, they also sing nursery rhymes such as Incy Wincy Spider and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
Each session lasts around 15 minutes, leaving plenty of time for Sue to perform routine duties such as patrolling the streets, engaging with the public, and helping police officers fight crime.
She said: “The role of a PCSO is all about community policing, so it’s really important we get out and interact with the community.
“Our community starts with the very little people, so it is important we go and see them too.
“Ultimately, we want youngsters to see the police not as scary but as people who are there to help them when they need us.
“The best way to show the children what we’re really like as people is to go and see them.
“It’s such a pleasure to go into nursery schools and engage with young children, and I’m always really grateful to be invited back.”
Gemma Rhodes, nursery manager at St Joseph’s School, said the police visits were a highlight for the children.
She said: “The storytimes take place on a Friday, and it’s definitely a nice way to end the week. All the children can’t wait, and they sit on the carpet and wait for Sue and Bobbi Bear to arrive.
“We’re a diverse nursery, and I think it’s very important that all children have a positive outlook on the police and understand they’re not somebody to be scared of.
“If ever they’re lost or need help, it’s vital they know they can attract the attention of a police officer to help them.”
