OFFICERS from West Mercia Police have launched a 'Junior Cadet' scheme at a Wolverley school this week.

The scheme was launched at Wolverley Sebright Primary School, in Franche Road, on Wednesday (September 14) and it is hoped it will address a gap in police relationships with older primary school children and to more closely engage with them.

Leading with a flexible lesson plan agreed with the school, officers from the local Safer Neighbourhood Team will deliver one to two hour sessions over a six-week period - which will work around the curriculum.

Some of the areas that will be covered during the scheme include the safety of children in relation to strangers and the dangers they may pose, communication, road safety, security, forensics and anti-social behaviour.

The basics of a police constable's role will also be discussed, as well as the role of radio use and the security of their own and others property.

Shelley Reeves-Walters, headteacher at Wolverley Sebright, said: "We are thrilled that a group of our pupils have been selected to take part in the Young Cadets pilot scheme.

"Continuing to strengthen links with the police in our community is vital - it will also enable our pupils to gain a greater understanding of the role police play in our society.

"The workshops cover a range of topics from communication to how to keep safe. We hope that this wonderful opportunity provides life skills that our pupils can refer to and share with others."

The school pupils will be kitted out with West Mercia Police baseball caps, t-shirts and notebooks.

The final element of the project will be a traditional "passing out parade" where the junior cadets will receive certificates of achievement. The event will mark the children's commitment to learning and commend them on their ability to work as part of a team.

West Mercia Police Superintendent, Kevin Purcell, added: "The Junior Cadets scheme is a really positive and engaging school-based project that is designed to help build stronger relationships with younger children at a local community level.

"As well as this scheme, we of course run a more formal Police Cadets programme for 16 to 18-year-olds which runs over two years and is on a national structure."