WATCH: 'Trauma teddies' to be given to help comfort Dundee kids at crime scenes

Police in Dundee will now carry knitted teddy bears in their patrol cars, to give to distressed children at crime scenes and other incidents like road accidents.

The 'Trauma Teddies' scheme originated in Australia, where fire fighters use the method to comfort kids whose belongings have been destroyed by bush fires, but this is the first time an initiative like this has been rolled out in Scotland.

The stuffed toys act as a distraction for youngsters who are going through a period of distress, and they also help build trust between them and the police.

The scheme is being run in partnership with Police Scotland and charity Children 1st.

Interim director Linda Jardine said: "Any child who has been involved in an incident which has caused them distress could potentially lead to them being traumatised from that and we know that if there is trauma where they have experienced adverse events, that can really impact on their health and well-being for some time to come.

"We want to do everything we can at the time of the event and afterwards and this trauma teddy is a small way for thr community, the police and Children 1st to come together to make sure that we give that message of support and comfort to the child who has been involved in a potentially distressing and traumatic event.

Without the toys, there are fears some children might feel intimitated when approached by a police officer.

Inspector Chris Boath from Police Scotland's Tayside Division said:"Often the first contact with a police officer can be a negative experience becuase of the situation and it is easy for us to walks away and leave the child with that memonry of the police officer.

"I think that by introducing a trauma teddy, it may just bring something more positive to that experience and become a memory a cjild could look back on more favourably".

Members of the public are also being urged to get involved with the scheme- by helping knit the soft toys.