SAFETY DVD FOR 120,000 LONDON SCHOOL PUPILS . . .

National charity, the Children's Safety Education Foundation (CSEF), has teamed up with the Metropolitan Police to launch a vital new tool in the battle against childhood injury.

The DVD resource will teach young people the skills needed to keep themselves safe. It comes as part of the Junior Citizen programme, a
series of interactive education workshops attended by over 120,000 children from 600 schools across London each year.

The DVD was unveiled at a special event that was attended by David Bell, Permanent Secretary to the Department for Children Schools and Families.

Speaking at the launch, David Bell said: "This DVD is a great example of how we can work together in partnership, to tackle the issue of child safety. It is a credit to all of the agencies that took part, the emergency services and to CSEF, and I am delighted to hear that so many children across London will benefit from it."

Tackling important issues such as bullying, first aid, fire and road safety, the DVD will recap the messages and crucial skills covered in the Junior Citizen programme, and will give children who attended the workshops, a lasting reminder of their experiences.

Junior Citizen is designed to enhance child safety across the UK, by helping children to develop safety awareness in a dynamic and interesting way.

Aimed at children who are about to leave primary school, the scheme comprises a series of hands-on workshops, delivered by professionals from agencies such as the London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance Service, London Transport and London Underground.

Patrick O'Malley, Head of Development at CSEF, said: "Junior Citizen is about getting young people involved in issues that affect them, in a practical and exciting way. The focus is on real-life situations, ones that will really hit-home and make them take on board the advice that is
being given.

"The new DVD will help children remember the lessons they have learned and will be a source of reference for them into the future."

Superintendent Adrian Rabot, Metropolitan Police Service, said: "Junior Citizen is a key part of the MPS Youth Strategy aimed at keeping young people safe and confident, particularly in the transition year from primary to secondary school, and is an excellent example of effective multi-agency partnerships in action."

Junior Citizen takes place across London throughout the year. Workshops are currently being held in Islington and Lewisham.

Pictured above: Some of the key organisers and contributors to the new Junior Citizen DVD at its official launch in London.

An introduction from the DVD is available below or click on the web link below to find out more about Think Safe Team Up:
www.met.police.uk . . .