Children visit Bedlington Police Station

Children from local schools enjoyed half term fun at Bedlington Police Station recently.

Some 20 youngsters from the Church of England Academy including Josephine Butler, James Knott and Thomas Bewick schools came along for a tour of the station, cell complex and to learn more about policing.

The visit was hosted by Wansbeck Neighbourhood Policing Team who created a special crime scene especially for the young would-be detectives. The children got involved by investigating a burglary and learned how real detectives investigate crime.

They visited a burglary scene which was laid on for them, spoke to a witness and followed clues to identify forensic evidence which led to them arresting the offender!

They continued through the custody process and locked the burglar in a cell before learning some interview techniques from the officers before charging him with the crime.

Neighbourhood officers were joined at the event by specialist support officers, firearms officers who are trained to engage with members of the public and make them feel safe, and by friendly police dog Monty.

Wansbeck Neighbourhood Inspector Sue Fryer said: "We're keen to build on the strong links we have built up between schools and the neighbourhood team in Wansbeck. Bringing the children into the police station is not only great fun for them, but gives them a real insight into the policing world and teaches them how the police work.

"It's important to us that children get to know local officers and by doing so we can continue to build trust between local youngsters and our policing teams.

"We will continue to give more children the opportunity to take part in these visits throughout school holiday period in Wansbeck and Morpeth arranged via local schools."

Pictured children from the Church of England Academy schools of Wansbeck during their recent police station visit.