Police on the cards for Leyland pupils

Published by lpriest for Progress Housing Group in Housing and also in Communities

POLICE in Leyland, Lancashire have teamed up with schools to use a set of cards as a way of reminding local children to stay safe and out of trouble.

The ‘Cop-a-Cards’ campaign has seen the design of ten special cartoon cards each with a special messages on topics including the danger of drugs and the importance of respecting people.

 Four of the cards in the set were designed by local pupils following a competition in entered by over 100 children from four schools – Leyland Primary, Woodlea Juniors, Northbrook Primary and Seven Stars primary.

Approximately 15,000 cards have now been produced and will now be handed out to youngsters by police on the beat around Leyland.

The initiative was setup by Leyland PCSOs Tony Wojnarowski and Mike Cobley with funding for the manufacture of Cop-a-Cards provided by Lancashire Partnership against Crime (LANPAC) and New Progress Housing Association.

Tony and Mike even appear as cartoon characters on two of the cards – Tony on a bike and Mike sporting a quiff.

Tony said: “This is a fun way to engage withLeyland children and I would like to say thanks to the many pupils who took part in the competition to design the card. We had some many great entries and it was very hard to pick the four winners.”

Mike added: “Cop-a-Cards will remind youngsters of the rules of the world in an easy fashion. I must admit it was a bit funny seeing yourself as a drawing, but both Tony and I certainly enjoyed the opportunity to be put into cartoon-form.” 

Gary Melia, Deputy Managing Director for New Progress Housing Association, said: “We are always looking for new ways to engage with younger residents and the cop- a-cards are a fun way of doing this. We are hoping the cards will help make police officers more approachable and make it easier for younger people in our communities to develop a positive relationship with the Police."