Police engage with families during school holiday activity day in Derker
Greater Manchester Police's Operation Vulcan team participated in a community event in Derker's Stoneleigh Park, organized by Friends of Stoneleigh Park as part of Oldham Council's holiday activities. The event aimed to build trust and strengthen relationships between police and local residents, particularly young people. Activities included children interacting with officers, exploring police vehicles, and educational stalls on knife crime. Deputy Mayor Kate Green and Councillor Elaine Taylor attended, praising the event's community-building and support for families, including free packed lunches.
Police officers spent Tuesday at Stoneleigh Park in Derker, joining local families for a council-run holiday activity day organised by the volunteer group Friends of Stoneleigh Park. Children climbed into patrol cars, switched on blue lights, tried on uniforms and tested VR headsets that explained specialist police teams and the dangers of knife crime.
The Positive Action Team, neighbourhood officers, PCSOs, Police Cadets and the mounted unit worked alongside Operation Vulcan, Greater Manchester Police’s dedicated city-centre task force, which has been attending community events to build trust with residents and young people. Every child left with a free packed lunch, part of the council’s effort to ease holiday food costs.
Deputy Mayor Kate Green watched the activities, while DCI Chris Julien of Operation Vulcan said officers received “really positive and valuable feedback from residents about the work we’re doing to tackle issues locally.” Councillor Elaine Taylor, Oldham’s Deputy Leader, praised the collaboration: “These holiday activity events are a fantastic way to bring our communities together and to give families free support during the holidays.”
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