6 August 2007
City kids spend action-packed week with the Police, Fire
Brigade and Ambulance Service
It’s a case of The Bill meets London’s Burning with a Casualty
twist for 40 young City residents this fortnight. The youngsters,
aged between 10 and 19, are taking part in the Young City Safe
Scheme which sees them spending the week with the City of London
Police and London Fire Brigade, Ambulance Service and British
Transport Police.
The Young City Safe Scheme gives youngsters the opportunity to
complete a course focusing on being a ‘responsible citizen’.
The week’s activities allow the group access to areas usually
out of bounds to the general public, such as the police horse
section, a police control room and a demonstration of how road
crash victims are cut from a wrecked vehicle.
Mizanur Rahman, 19, student, said visiting the Police armoury
and learning about the range of the Fire Brigade’s operations,
including domestic incidents to vehicle rescues, had been the
highlight of the week
“Seeing weapons hidden in practical things like umbrellas and
walking sticks made me appreciate what it takes to be a Police
Officer and getting kitted out to use the rescue equipment and cut
up a car was exciting,” Mr Rahman said.
Course co-ordinator Emma Davies of the City of London’s Crime
and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) said: “This week gives
the young people a unique chance to find out about a range of
contemporary issues including personal safety and the dangers of
arson.
“It also aims to build a positive relationship between young
people and the Police, Fire Brigade and Ambulance Service.”
The course provides the teenagers with realistic life
experiences and encourages them to think through the problems they
are confronted with and resolve them successfully.
Young City Safe activities include:
- the danger of hoax calls to emergency services
- fire and breathing apparatus demonstration
- burnt room interactive presentation
- police forensics, horse section, dog squad and armoury
- meeting magistrates and court procedures at the City
Court
All those who complete the course will attend a ‘passing out’
ceremony at Shoreditch Fire Station where they will receive a
certificate and gift from the City of London Police Commissioner
and London Fire Brigade Borough Commander.
Ends
Notes for editors
15 City teenagers aged 14-19 attended the course from 30 July to
3 August. 18 City youngsters aged 10-13 will attend the same course
from 6 to 10 August, with a passing out parade on Friday 10 August
at 12.00 noon at Shoreditch Fire Station.
For further information contact:
Cubby Fox, Press Officer at the City of London on 020 7332 3451 or
mobile 07884 295 736