Manningtree: Police dogs have pawesome time at local school

Tendring Community Policing Team Sergeant, Charlotte Bailey, and two of our newest Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) Gemma Shanks and Christopher Ball, teamed up with PCs Ross Ashcroft and Hayley Peek, and their police dogs PD Dexter and PD Oreo, to visit pupils at Lawford C of E Primary School, in Manningtree.

The officers were invited to speak with the school’s two early years foundation stage classes, who had been learning about jobs that keep our world moving.

Sgt Bailey began by explaining to the children that being a police officer wasn’t just about catching baddies, but also about helping people and keeping them safe.

She talked about her police uniform and badge, as well as the equipment used by police officers to help them do their job. She also explained how the children could contact the police, fire, or ambulance services if they needed help in an emergency.

The class then got the opportunity to try on some of the police uniform including hats and coats.

After a quick break the four- and five-year-olds were introduced to our dog handlers, PC Ross Ashcroft, and PC Hayley Peek, who talked about how we use dogs to help police officers keep people safe and catch criminals.

They explained how the dogs use their fantastic sense of smell to find people and things criminals are trying to hide, like money. PD Oreo even gave the children a demonstration by finding some cash that had been hidden around the classroom by PC Ashcroft.

The morning finished off with the children getting to meet and pet the police dogs.

Following the visit, PC Ashcroft said:

“We really enjoyed visiting the children at Lawford Primary.
“They were so well behaved and asked some great questions. PDs Oreo and Dexter had a lot of fun too!”

Sgt Bailey added:

“Visits like this are so important in building positive relationships with younger members of our community.
“It’s crucial that they know we are here to keep them safe and help them when they need us.”

Lawford Primary School foudnation stage teacher, Miss Woods (pictued above right), thanked the police officers for visiting the children:

“In early years foundation stage, we have been focusing on what jobs keep our world moving, we always try to enrich our children with real life experience and Essex Police went over and above to provide this!
“The children were captivated by one of the officers talk about how the police keep everyone safe, it extended their knowledge and my own.
“The dog unit were incredible with the children, it was an interactive visit, and the children haven't stopped talking about Dexter and Oreo.
“They were fascinated by watching them at work.
“We really can't thank Essex Police enough for providing this amazing experience for our children at Lawford. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all.'