Crucial Crew returns to Harrogate

Great news - our children's personal safety workshops​ known as Crucial Crew have returned with a blast following a five-year break due to COVID-19.

The first sessions of the year have been delivered over the past two weeks to just over 1,000 Year Six children from 50 primary schools across the Harrogate area.

The workshops are being held at Harrogate College, whose hospitality has extended to their Public Services and PE students assisting with the daily logistics of keeping the workshops flowing on time. 

Thanks go to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, North Yorkshire Council Smoke Free Service, Inspire Youth and British Transport Police, whose invaluable support means that we can provide a series of workshops which deliver vital education for those transitioning up to secondary school.

North Yorkshire Police's School Liaison Team organise the event but could not run it without the support of Neighbourhood Policing colleagues, who were integral in delivering a session on internet safety, focussing on "sexting".

The early feedback from teachers has been fantastic:

• Sexting - "Excellent reinforcement of what had been discussed in school PHSE - informative video content on sexting, online safety and cyber bullying and discussion afterwards"

• Fire safety - "Effective to model the 999-phone call - great safety advice for emergencies in the home"

• Drugs and alcohol awareness - "Provided great reinforcement of the dangers - loved the interactive start to the workshop, disco light, music, the offering of sweets."

• Smoking and vaping - "Very clear, great activities, lots of opportunity to ask questions and become involved."

• British Transport Police - "Informative and age appropriate - all aspects of rail safety, including exploitation risks."

• "This was a great morning for our children, thank you! Very well organised and I liked the short, snappy sessions."

The team's efforts will now turn to the delivery of Crucial Crew for the rest of our area, with sessions in Scarborough, York and Selby next month.

Here are some pictures from the Harrogate workshops: