Police chief praises crime-fighting pupils

District commander chief inspector Pip Taylor has hailed the efforts of 20 Year-five and six children at the River Beach Primary School.

For the past six weeks, the youngsters have been taking part in an innovative after school club, the junior neighbourhood watch, which has seen them learning how to keep safe, report a crime and what happens when criminals go to court.

CI Taylor said: “It was lovely to meet the children, talk to them about the police and answer their questions. We work closely with our neighbourhood watch members who feel confident in reporting suspicious and criminal activity to us. It’s good to see these young children taking a positive interest in policing and having an interest in keeping where they live safe, friendly and pleasant places to be.”

The scheme was organised by the Littlehampton Neighbourhood Watch Association and was the first of its kind in the county.

Mike Cullern, chairman of association, said: “It was a great pleasure to introduce this scheme to such a happy and committed group of young children. My colleagues and I knew that junior neighbourhood watch would prove to be very popular, but I personally was amazed when so many other children leapt at the opportunity to sign up for the next courses.”

The youngsters all received certificates at a presentation at the school, last week.