Crime fighting cubs from across West Yorkshire have helped to produce a special badge to help them understand the importance of crime prevention.
Cubs aged 8 to 10 worked closely with Chris Joyce, Force Crime Prevention Officer at West Yorkshire Police and Dr Leanne Monchuk (Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Policing at the University of Huddersfield) to co-design and co-produce the badge.
To be awarded the badge the cubs must complete the activities including completing jigsaws, designing posters, playing games and creating songs – all on a crime prevention theme. Cubs helped to shape these activities.
All of the activities have the aim of being fun and also getting important crime fighting messages across. They focus on the three key themes of domestic security, online safety and when and how to contact the police.
Cubs from Central Yorkshire Scouts were the guests of honour when they were treated to a VIP tour of the Force’s Contact Management Centre to see how emergency calls are received and to gain an insight into how West Yorkshire Police can be contacted.
They also met Assistant Chief Constable Catherine Hankinson.
Assistant Chief Constable Hankinson, said:
“It was a pleasure to meet the cubs who were very keen to get involved – hopefully we have some potential police officers of the future there.
“The badge is all about having fun whilst at the same time getting important crime prevention messages across to some of our youngest members of society.
Dr Monchuk said:
“This has been an exciting and truly collaborative piece of work which has been shaped by the young people themselves from its initial inception right through to its dissemination. I’d like to thank the Cubs for their enthusiasm and fantastic ideas, the leaders for their ongoing support and colleagues at West Yorkshire Police for acknowledging the importance of co-producing this resource with young people.
“I hope the Cubs enjoy completing the activities whilst learning important crime prevention messages that they can then disseminate amongst friends, families and local communities.
Sam Wakefield – Assistant County Commissioner for Youth Engagement – West Yorkshire Scouts, said:
“Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people to make a positive contribution to society. Working collaboratively with Dr Monchuk and West Yorkshire Police has given our young people an opportunity to develop as individuals. Our Cubs can learn such important skills for life through a set of fun and engaging activities that I’m sure will inspire our next generation.”
