CLENT pupils passed their Young Cadet scheme with flying colours after five weeks of ‘police training’ from two Hagley and Rubery Safer Neighbourhood Team officers.

Fifteen students from Clent Primary School were given weekly talks by PCSO Chelsea Lloyd and PCSO Stuart Taylor, culminating in an awards ceremony on January 27.

Each cadet was provided with a cap, t-shirt and pocket notebook as they spent each week learning about communication, road safety, security, forensics and anti-social behaviour.

They were also taught the basics of a police constable's role and the tools used to do their jobs, including radios and police vehicles.

PCSO Chelsea Lloyd said: "I have really enjoyed working with the young cadets. It's been a lot of hard work from both the children and ourselves.

"The children have had to give time from their normal curriculum so the pressure was on us to deliver sessions which were really worthwhile and valuable to them.

"As each week has passed the children have noticeably blossomed.

"At the start of the course they were very excitable but as they got to know myself and Stuart they started to settle into the routine and really engaged with us and their classmates, offering some interesting topics for discussion.

"The team are going to continue to work with the school to deliver and support future lessons and the cadets will also have their own invites to the Bromsgrove Police and Fire Station open day to be held in the summer."

Teachers and parents attended the awards ceremony as pupils were handed their certificate of accomplishment by Inspector Sarah Corteen from Bromsgrove SNT.

She said: "I am immensely proud of both the children and the officers here today.

"This is a prime example of the work they do in their communities which has a very real and very positive effect on the children and their families."

Headteacher Mr Christian Hamilton added: "Chelsea and Stuart have presented the children a very valuable insight into policing and what 'service' actually means.

"I think it is very important for young people to understand the avenues of risk, how to safeguard against them and if possible, how to avoid them.

"As well as the children enjoying the experience, it was great to see many parents supporting the scheme from the start, and many took time from the busy schedules to attend the assembly today, which can only encourage the children and add value to the event."