Taken from West Midlands Police website:
WOLVERHAMPTON police officers have been getting on-side with local youngsters through a community football tournament.
The event, which took place on Saturday 13 March, was organised by officers from the Ashmore Park neighbourhood police team, the Local Neighbourhood Partnership (LNP) and Wolverhampton City Council Youth Services.
Youngsters from Ashmore Park and Long Knowle youth clubs played games against Wolverhampton Police and West Midlands Fire Service. Each member of the team then received a trophy for taking part.
The aim of the tournament was to build relationships between young people and the police.
Sergeant Tracey Baker, from Ashmore Park neighbourhood police team, said: “This is the third year we have organised a match between young people and the police and we are very pleased to have the fire service involved this year too.
“This kind of event is really important because it helps us build positive relationships with the local community. It allows young people to see their neighbourhood officers in a different light – out of uniform and in a more relaxed setting.”
Cas Simpson, Area Youth Manager for Wolverhampton City Council said: “It’s all about building positive links between young people and the police. The young people all really enjoyed it.”
Picture: Jason Haywood (18) and Crew Commander Paul Lovell from West Midlands Fire Service with Sergeant Tracey Baker from Ashmore Park neighbourhood police team
One reply on “WMP: Police Get On-side with local youngsters”
What a exciting event!!! The Football matches between the Police, Fire Service and the Ashmore Park Youth was a great battle of minds and fitness.
The overall winners were the Fire service just pipping the Police service to first place, the Ashmore Youth side showed alot of strength and stamina and played extremely well.
Well done to all who took part and those who helped with the event on & off the Pitch.
Look forward to the next Games.