It is true to say that police officers really are getting younger – as this group of intrepid teenagers demonstrated as they took part in a day in the life of a police officer at an inner city farm.
The kids – aged 13 to 16 – were given the chance to play a real life game of Cluedo as they used clues to solve crimes set by a team of staff and officers from Nottinghamshire Police as part of a mock-crime scene.
They also got to take part in a search operation and learn about off-road policing.
The aim was to demonstrate to the youngsters what it takes to be a copper and to encourage them to think about it as a future job. It also was aimed at building trust with the police.
Nine young people were given the chance to gain some valuable work experience on the farm as well as speak to local and specialist officers as Nottinghamshire Police teamed up with Stonebridge City Farm in St Ann’s.
The animals at the farm, which range from horses and pigs to chickens and birds, were the first port of call for the children and they got stuck into helping with some of the jobs around the farm.
After this, they were greeted by officers from across the force, including crime scene investigators and the off-road team to start a day full of activities.
The Operation Reacher team set up a search operation where the group were tasked to find a variety of items throughout the farm, showcasing what they would encounter when conducting a warrant.
A real life game of Cluedo was also run by Crime Scene Investigators, who had set up a crime scene in the middle of the farm. The children had to take the clues, piece them together and work as a team to solve the ‘crime’ that was placed in front of them.
To round off the day, the local off-road policing team paid a visit with their bikes which the group had a tour around.
The event was part of a trial by the Citizens in Policing department to bolster engagement and provide opportunities for disadvantaged young people in the community to not only have a positive experience with police officers but to also get some work experience whilst doing so.
Romel Davis, Youth Outreach Worker for Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was a really great opportunity to present something new to the young people we work with.
“In the city we’ve got a really good offer of sports, dance and other such activities but we’ve never hosted something at a farm before, and so it’s been great to work with Stonebridge City Farm which is right in the heart of St Ann’s to give the group this experience and activity day.
“In the process of working with them, we realised our objectives were the same – which are to help young people and provide opportunities for those who may be at a disadvantage or may feel socially excluded.
“It is something more hands on for them to do, which is great for those who learn more practically as opposed to academically. As well as this, the animals allowed the group to focus on a variety of activities whilst still achieving what we set out to do and help them engage with the police, which I think makes it easier and more natural for them to work with us and for us to be on a level with each other.
“We also understand some of the young people enjoyed the day so much that they’re continuing to interact with the farm and are exploring opportunities for work experience. This kind of engagement has had to go on hold for a significant amount of time due to Covid restrictions so it amazing to see them taking up such opportunities now they are available again as it will boost their CVs and stand them in good stead for work opportunities in the future.”
Neighbourhood Policing Inspector for City South Karl Thomas added: “We are committed to engaging with and helping young people in our community, and particularly where they come from a background that is considered disadvantaged it is so rewarding to see them interacting and enjoying activities such as this and really getting involved.
“Not only is this engagement highly important now, but it will be so beneficial for their future. These positive interactions and the chance for them to experience and try new things will no doubt set them up for bright careers in terms of work and also help them develop as individuals.
“A massive thank you to Romel, the officers who attended and the team at Stonebridge City Farm for making this happen. This is a really good example of how working together can have a really big impact on those we engage with.”
Peter Armitage, General Manager at Stonebridge City Farm, said: “We had a great day with the youngsters who came down to the farm.
“It was brilliant to see them help us in the gardens and also learn more about our work as a community charity. They were so positive and really enjoyed the interaction with the police who ran a number of exercises with them through the day.
“It’s also really rewarding that a number of people in the group, aged 14 and over, expressed interest in doing some more work experience with us and we very much look forward to seeing them again in the near future now we can once again offer work experience.”
