Officers from Sale Neighbourhood Policing Team invite Trafford youngsters to the Go Ape Adventure Park in Delamere Forest, Cheshire (From Messenger Newspapers)

Officers from Sale Neighbourhood Policing Team invite Trafford youngsters to the Go Ape Adventure Park in Delamere Forest, Cheshire

3:30pm Monday 15th June 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(1)

YOUNGSTERS joined officers from Sale Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) to tackle a series of gravity-defying obstacles.

Six officers were paired with young people aged 11 to 16 as they attempted to navigate zip-wires, rope ladders and treetop tunnels at Go Ape Adventure Park in Delamere Forest, Cheshire.

The trip, organised by Trafford Housing Trust youth involvement worker, Hazel O’Keefe, aimed to build better relationships between officers and youngsters in St Mary’s West and Ashton-on-Mersey.

It followed a youth panel, where the youngsters said they wanted to speak more with their officers.

Inspector Laura Burgess for Sale NPT said: “Pairing the officers and youth workers up with the youngsters encouraged them to work together and not against each other to solve problems and navigate obstacles.

“The youngsters were keen to show that they are not the trouble-causing ‘hoodies’ that they are often stereotyped as, but individuals with aspirations and ideas on how to improve the area in which they live.

“The feedback we got at the end of the day was very positive, with each participant claiming to have come away with a much better relationship with their local officer.

“Since the event, the youngsters are now willing to stop and talk to officers on the streets and feel more confident in discussing local issues.”

For further information about policing in Trafford, visit gmp.police.uk/trafford

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(1)