1,300 East Midlands pupils get online safety lessons from police
Students urged to continue having fun, but to be careful
Hundreds of pupils have been learning about how to stay safe online with input from Nottinghamshire Police.
Schoolchildren from across the city and county are taking part in dozens of educational safety sessions at Holme Pierrepont National Watersports Centre in Rushcliffe between September 8 and 19.
The force’s dedicated schools and early intervention officers (SEIOs) have been delivering the workshops, with a particular focus on helping children to keep themselves safe online.
Officers and schoolchildren took part in a game and discussion about whether or not it is safe to share different types of personal information with strangers, such as bank details, first names, and favourite foods.
Pupils were encouraged to continue having fun, but to be careful of how much information they share publicly.
They were also taught top tips for creating stronger passwords, such as using a string of random words which are more difficult to decode.
The police estimate that around 1,300 pupils from 27 primary schools will have taken part in the educational sessions.
Nottinghamshire Police has a team of 12 SEIOs who cover each force neighbourhood area and are embedded at schools across the city and county.
Vulnerable
SEIOs work primarily with secondary school communities in Nottinghamshire throughout the year and the force says they provide bespoke, professional support to educational institutions to engage vulnerable young people who are at risk of offending or disruptive behaviour.
They are part of a wider support network to mitigate the risk presented by pupils, intended to reduce the need to transfer young people to pupil referral units or alternative education provision.
The officers can also help divert young people, where appropriate, away from the criminal justice system through early intervention and restorative justice.
Safety Zone is an annual event organised by Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, with input from Nottinghamshire Police, National Grid, British Transport Police, the Canal and River Trust, Nottingham City Transport, charity Hope UK, East Midlands Ambulance Service, and Via Road Safety.
Bullying
Inspector Paul Peatfield, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “It’s really important that we engage with and educate schoolchildren to equip them with life skills that will help keep them safe as they get older.
“It’s also key for us to help change young peoples’ perception of policing and reinforce the message that we are approachable and here to support them, and this event helps us achieve this.
“Children can, unfortunately, become victims of bullying and abuse on the internet through online games and social media sites.
“However, it is often the simplest preventative steps that can prove the most effective.
“We would always encourage parents to speak with their children about how they use the internet and what sites or games they access.
“Activate parental controls on your home network and internet-enabled devices, such as mobile phones, tablets, computers, and games consoles.
“Familiarise yourself with how to remove content online and ensure that children are aware of the risks of sharing photographs online, and that they can talk to you for advice.
“SEIOs play an integral role in maximising the visibility of the police and securing the trust and confidence in the eyes of young people, as well as helping them become better, safer members of the community.
“They provide a dedicated contact for professional, expert help and advice, thereby increasing accessibility between Nottinghamshire Police and local schools and academies.
“We’re really pleased to be able to effectively work closely with partner organisations to educate children on key safety initiatives and create safer communities, and so I’d like to extend my thanks to Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service for hosting this event.”