Police create holiday timetable for South Lakeland youngsters (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Police create holiday timetable for South Lakeland youngsters

2:10pm Monday 20th February 2012 in Schools Zone news By Steven Bell, Reporter

SOUTH Lakeland youngsters learned new skills at activities organised by Cumbria Police.

Events during the half-term holiday gave children the chance to gain practical knowledge and life skills.

Cumbria Police worked with partners to deliver football, health and fitness classes and cookery sessions to provide young people with something to do during the school break and help avoid a potential rise in anti-social behaviour.

The activities coincided with Neighbourhood Policing Week. PC Angela Rawlinson, of Kendal Neighbourhood Policing Team, said there were wide benefits for those taking part. “We had an inter-generational baking event between local elderly residents and young people,” she explained.

“I think it’s about breaking down barriers between the young and the old, and the kids are learning important skills from them, such as baking and cooking.

“Cooking skills are very important to have, especially if they don’t have these skills at home, and the children get enjoyment out of it too.”

The children’s people skills were also developed when the produce they made was sold at a coffee morning the following day.

Another event, at Lakes Leisure, Windermere, saw parents and children learn about the importance of exercise.

PC Rawlinson said: “The health and well-being project educated young people about how to stay healthy and got them involved in various activities with their parents.”

She said the activities programme was organised after young people expressed interest in having regular events to take part in. “It’s about mutual respect between police and young people and educating them that the police aren’t always involved in negative things like arresting people,” said PC Rawlinson.

Chief Superintendent Don Spiller, Cumbria Police’s lead officer for antisocial behaviour, said youngsters often complained they had ‘nothing to do’.

“By offering a wide range of activities from drama clubs, music lessons to sports activities, we hope there will be something for everyone,” he said.

PC Rawlinson, who helped organise the events, thanked partners such as South Lakeland District Council for the funding to run activities and welcomed support from other organisations.

A full calendar of events taking place throughout the year is available online at www.wotson4u.com