A scheme which sees coppers’ faces printed on Top Trumps-style collector cards for school children has been extended.
Last month Gwent Police launched the cards in Blackwood for school children to get to know their local bobby better.
Now school children in Caerphilly have the chance to collect the full set of their neighbourhood policing team.
Each officer of the Caerphilly Neighbourhood Policing Team has their own ‘Know Your Bobby’ card showing their name and picture, together with a safety tip.
The telephone number and email address for the team is also on the back of the card.
Pupils from Abertridwr’s Cwmaber, Ysgol Ifor Bach, Nant-y-Parc and Hendre Junior School, near Trecenydd, will each be given a collector’s board with three cards already printed on them to get them started.
Throughout the term, they will need to collect the remaining 13 cards from officers when they see them patrolling in the area.
The scheme’s launch in Caerphilly has been made possible thanks to funding to the Aber Valley and Trecenydd Communities First Partnerships from the Community Cohesion fund.
PC Liz Street, Aber Valley ward officer, said: “During our patrols of the area the children will need to approach us to collect our card, and if they collect the whole set, they will receive a free goodie bag at the end of the term.”
Sarah Edmunds, Headteacher of Ysgol Ifor Bach, in Senghenydd, said: “We are very pleased to be involved with the Know Your Bobby initiative.
“Our school has a very good relationship with the local Neighbourhood Policing Team, and I am sure this scheme will go a long way to help our young people continue building positive relations with our local ‘Bobby’ in a fun and educational way.”
Cllr Lyndon Binding, Chair of the Aber Valley Communities First Partnership, said: “We are delighted to support this excellent initiative, which helps encourage the positive interaction between residents and the local Neighbourhood Policing Team.
“The Know Your Bobby scheme is a shining example of what can be achieved with partnerships working together.”
The Know Your Bobby scheme is also being held in Bedwas, Cefn Fforest and Markham.