The Crime Prevention Website recently reported on Camden Police’s Crime Prevention and Community Safety Market Day, which took place in Camden on 20th July. Over 600 people came to the event, which had been organised to enable communication between the police force and local residents in a relaxed and informal atmosphere and also to raise awareness for people regarding safety in their community. Local children were invited to answer questions about safety by not only members of the Camden Police force but also London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance Service, Safer Transport Command, CID, the Metropolitan Police Dogs unit and the Mounted Police.
PC Fraser Kennedy, who organised the event said:
[quote]The police horses and dogs, along with the fire engines were a great highlight for the kids. It was such a fun day for everyone involved and at the same time the benefits of safety and crime prevention were highlighted.[/quote]
Camden Police’s Voluntary Police Cadets were in attendance alongside the Horseback and Dog Handling units of the Police force and the cadets had their faces painted as various different animals. The cadets, other children and their parents took part in an orienteering exercise whereby the participants travelled to various display stands in Hampstead Heath on the Cricket pitch.
Safety successes of the day included nearly 50 mobile phones being registered on the www.immobilise.com database (the site used by police to assist them in finding lost or stolen phones). The Safer Transport Command issued free bicycle alarms and locks to individuals that attended the day and property-marked over 40 bikes, and more than 250 people were informed about life support skills via the London Ambulance Service.
Photograph © kim traynor and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence