A TEAM of year six pupils from Foley Park Primary School in Kidderminster has been crowned winners of this year’s Young Citizens Challenge for the Wyre Forest area.

About 1,100 students took part in the challenge, which was jointly organised by Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) and West Mercia Police.

During the challenge, the participating teams were faced with a number of mock scenarios, each designed to highlight a different aspect of safety.

Wyre Forest District Council ranger service, Western Distribution, the Safer Roads Partnership, Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA), Wyre Forest Community Housing, the Red Cross and Thomas Vale Construction were also involved in this year’s initiative, held between June 8 and 16, at Stourport Sports Club.

H&WFRS used the smoke house to highlight fire safety issues while internet safety was promoted by West Mercia Police. Western Distribution used the challenge to highlight safety near electricity sub stations to the young people taking part, while the Safer Roads Partnership raised awareness of stopping distances and SARA concentrated on water safety and water based rescues.

Representatives from the police and the fire service were in school on Friday, July 8, to present the winning team from Foley Park Primary School with the Young Citizens Challenge shield.

Caroline Webster, community safety advisor for H&WFRS praised all the teams that took part: “As always, the youngsters worked hard at the challenges set for them, taking on board the key safety message from each activity. On behalf of the fire service, the police and all the organisations involved in this year’s challenge, I’d like to congratulate each team for a tremendous effort, particularly the winning team from Foley Park Primary School.”