Officers visit schools as part of Anti-Bullying Week

School children all over the county have benefited from a visit from one of the force’s specialist teams as part of Anti-Bullying Week.

Officers from the Child Centred Policing Team visited several primary and secondary schools, speaking to more than 5,000 young people about bullying and associated crimes that can often occur alongside.

They delivered workshops and assemblies which included advice and information on topics such as kindness and respect to others, where to get help and how to help a friend struggling.

The team, consisting of both Police Constables and Police Community Support Officers was created earlier this year giving every school a single point of contact who also work closely with other departments including the County lines and Gangs Team and the Missing and Child Exploitation Team to provide intervention and support for young people deemed most at risk.

Sergeant Glen Rickersey from the Child Centred Policing Team said: ‘A priority for Kent Police is to keep children safe and as a team we focus on the welfare of vulnerable young people.

‘It is really important for us to be able to engage early and have their trust and confidence.

‘This will hopefully enable them to come forward and speak up if they are a victim of bullying or any of the associated crimes.’