West Mercia Police Authority

The area’s Crucial Crew event is staged annually teaching 10 and 11-year-old pupils from Year 6 classes about personal safety and how to avoid or react to dangerous situations. This year’s event is being held at Oldbury Wells School in Bridgnorth from June 20-24.

Crucial Crew educates youngsters by playing out up to a dozen real-life scenarios to small groups of pupils involved in role play and interaction to help them appreciate key safety advice. They are taught about personal safety in a wide range of situations, how to react to danger, ways to contribute to crime prevention, how to avoid becoming victims of crime and what to do in an emergency, as well as fostering good citizenship.

Various organisations are involved, including the Police, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, Shropshire Council and voluntary bodies who are supported by a team of volunteers.

Police Constable Stuart Lippitt, Local Police Officer for Much Wenlock and Morville, who helps run Crucial Crew, applied for a donation from the Police Authority Community Safety Fund.

He said: “I’m delighted the Authority has recognised the importance of this venture by providing £2,000 which will help ensure we can continue to run the scheme, promoting vital safety advice in a fun way to young children. The annual week-long event is well established in our area and over the years has made thousands of pupils more aware of every-day dangers and how to remain safe and confident. The event is organised and run by local volunteers in the community and relies on financial support. During the week, about 850 pupils will attend.”