Key Points
- Bolton’s Mini Police programme for 2024/25 welcomes 90 pupils from nine primary schools.
- The scheme involves Year Five and Six pupils working alongside Greater Manchester Police officers.
- The programme’s primary aim is to build trust and confidence between young people and their communities through education and early intervention.
- Councillor David Chadwick, Mayor of Bolton, officially welcomed the new recruits.
- Ten primary schools are represented, including St Mary’s CE Primary and Chorley New Rd Primary Academy.
- Bolton Superintendent Ian Jones, who launched the Mini Police in Wigan in 2024, and Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley support the initiative.
- The young recruits, aged eight to ten, will be under the command of the neighbourhood police team.
What is the Bolton Mini Police programme?
As reported by The Bolton News, the Mini Police scheme in Bolton has launched its 2024/25 programme, inviting 90 pupils from nine primary schools to become Mini Police recruits. The initiative aims to foster a positive relationship between young people and the police, helping children understand the role of policing and community safety from an early age. The recruitment focuses on Year Five and Six pupils, typically aged eight to ten, who engage with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers in activities designed to build trust and confidence in law enforcement and their local communities.
Who welcomed the new Mini Police recruits?
Councillor David Chadwick, the Mayor of Bolton, personally welcomed the newest cohort of Mini Police recruits to the programme. He emphasised the success of the previous year’s scheme and highlighted the core objectives of the programme.
“After a successful first year of the ‘Mini Police’, today we were invited to welcome our 90 new Mini Police for the 24/25 year,”
Cllr Chadwick stated. He added that the main goal of the scheme is
“to increase trust and confidence within both the young people and their communities through early intervention, the delivery of safety messages, preventative education and long-term problem solving”.
Which schools are participating in the Mini Police scheme?
The scheme includes pupils from ten primary schools across Bolton. These are St Mary’s CE Primary, Chorley New Rd Primary Academy, Highfield Primary, The Gates, St James, Mytham Primary, Red Lane Primary, St Brendan’s RC Primary, and St Thomas CE Halliwell. The inclusion of diverse schools across the borough demonstrates GMP’s commitment to reaching a broad community base through this initiative.
Who are the police officers supporting the mini recruits?
Bolton Superintendent Ian Jones, who had previously launched the Mini Police initiative in Wigan in the prior year, has been instrumental in supporting the programme’s expansion into Bolton. Alongside him is the new District Commander for Bolton, Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley, who took command recently and has expressed her backing for the young recruits. Both senior officers welcomed the pupils to Greater Manchester Police a year ago and continue to oversee their development. The young officers, while still children, are now part of the neighbourhood policing team under the supervision of GMP officers.
What does the Mini Police programme involve for the children?
The Mini Police recruits take part in structured activities alongside GMP officers aimed at educating them about community safety, communication, and crime prevention. Through this active engagement, they absorb important messages about staying safe, understanding the law, and the role of police officers in society. The programme adopts a philosophy of early intervention to build positive relationships between children and the police, which authorities hope will yield long-term benefits in terms of community cohesion and safety.
How does this initiative impact the community?
The initiative is seen as a proactive approach to policing by investing in the relationship between law enforcement and the next generation. By involving children directly in understanding policing principles, the scheme promotes mutual respect and understanding, helping to build trust that can reduce future conflicts. According to Councillor Chadwick, the programme's success in its first year encouraged continued investment in these young recruits who represent the future of community relations in Bolton.