Police 'help for parents' tackles everything from talking about drugs, to online safety and exploitation
The free online resource called ‘Let’s Talk’ covers a number of topics that officers see impacting youngsters
Parents of children in Devon - aged 9 and above - are being given help to talk to them about things like drugs, alcohol, online safety and mental health.
The free online toolkit is backed by police and called 'let's talk'. It includes information and videos, with more than 6,000 parents across South Devon already giving it a go.
Chief Inspector Miranda Pusey, who leads the neighbourhood police teams in South Devon, said: “These free resources are invaluable.
"‘Let’s Talk’ covers a number of topics that we see regularly as police officers that are impacting young people, such as drugs, exploitation and online safety.
“They provide reliable information in a bitesize format to share important messages, including warning signs to look out for, where to go for help and support, and guidance about how parents and guardians can support young people impacted by the issues discussed.
“Prevention and education are key in making sure young people don’t get involved in crime or antisocial behaviour.
"We understand it can be hard to know what advice to listen to. It can feel overwhelming with the sheer amount of information that is available on websites, books and videos, so whenever it is possible, our officers signpost parents and guardians to access the free ‘Let’s Talk’ toolkits and sessions, knowing that they can access useful information from a trustworthy source.”
One parent said: “I have been feeling so alone and isolated as a single parent. This has made me feel supported in just an hour and a half.”
Rebecca Hewitt, Chair of South Devon and Dartmoor Community Safety Partnership, added: “We at the Let’s Talk team wanted to find a way to tackle community safety issues across our area.
"We believe that prevention is the key and that parents and carers are a vital part of the solution."