Mini Police scheme launches in Bolton
The Mini Police scheme, initially launched in Wigan, has expanded to Bolton, engaging children aged 8-10 from St Mary’s CE Primary and Chorley New Road Primary Academy. The program aims to foster positive relationships between young people and the police through activities and an attestation ceremony held at Bolton Wanderers Football Club. Superintendents Ian Jones and Helen Critchley emphasized the role of mini police officers as community role models.
Bolton’s youngest police force took their oaths at Bolton Wanderers Football Club as the Mini Police scheme expanded from Wigan to Greater Manchester’s newest district.
Children aged 8 to 10 from St Mary’s CE Primary and Chorley New Road Primary Academy became the first Bolton cohort of the programme, which builds bridges between young people and law enforcement. The ceremony followed a stadium tour for the new recruits, their families and teachers.
Sergeant Oliver Cooper organized the event to launch the neighbourhood policing initiative, which operates across Greater Manchester to introduce primary school pupils to law enforcement through hands-on activities. The programme replaces traditional police perceptions with positive community connections.
Superintendent Ian Jones, who established the scheme in Wigan last year, addressed the young officers: “Everyone in your school now will be looking to you for advice, and your role as a mini police officer will be to help them choose the right path and make the right decisions.”
The neighbourhood teams selected two schools for this year’s programme, with Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley joining Jones to welcome the children to Greater Manchester Police.
“Making the right choice can sometimes be tough, but as long as you’re thinking about your decisions and the consequences, I know you’ll be fantastic role models to your friends and the rest of the community,” Jones told the assembled mini officers.
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