Children from three Colwyn Bay schools got together to hear about the work that the police and fire services carryout to keep their schools and communities safe.
Ysgol Tan- y -Marian hosted the launch of School Watch, the summer campaign by North Wales Police and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service urging residents to keep an eye on their local schools out of hours and during school holidays.
Pupils from Ysgol Penmaenrhos and Ysgol Cynfran in joined the Tan-y-Marian children on the school field to examine a fire engine and the police helicopter while officers explained how the machines worked and what their jobs entail.
School Watch is aimed at keeping buildings safe and secure. With limited budgets valuable resources, which should be used to educate children, sometimes have to be diverted to combat burglary and vandalism with money spent on securing sites with window grills, alarms, cameras, fences and other security devices.
Crime reduction officer for central division, Ifan Hughes said: “The launching of School Watch reminds us all of the importance of school security. In partnership with other agencies and the community, we will endeavour to keep our schools safe from arson and criminal damage.
“It is an all year around scheme with an emphasis during the summer holidays.”
Cllr Wyn Jones, Conwy Council’s Cabinet Member for Lifelong Learning & Skills said: “With the help of parents and the local community through the School Watch campaign we can prevent criminal damage to our schools and reduce the possibility of disruption to our pupils and their education.”
The public is being asked to report anything unusual or anyone acting suspiciously, perhaps someone on school premises after hours or during holidays, by calling 101.
Ysgol Huelfre in Denbigh will be the focus of a similar event next week.
