Pupils at a Reading primary school have taken part in a special safety workshop designed to help them recognise risks and make positive choices.
Neighbourhood police officers arranged for the charity Olly’s Work to visit St Mary & All Saints CE Primary School in Coley, where Year 5 and Year 6 pupils attended an assembly focusing on staying safe both online and offline.
Olly’s Work was established in memory of Olly Stephens and aims to educate young people about issues including knife crime, online safety, peer pressure and healthy friendships, while giving them the confidence to seek help when they need it.
According to Thames Valley Police, pupils engaged positively throughout the session, asking questions and discussing a range of challenging topics with maturity.
Officers stressed that the presentation was designed to educate rather than frighten children, helping them recognise situations that do not feel right and equipping them with the knowledge to make informed decisions.
Police said the initiative highlighted the importance of schools, families, charities and officers working together to help keep young people safe.
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: “The session was engaging, thought-provoking and incredibly impactful.
“The pupils listened attentively, asked some fantastic questions, and showed great maturity when discussing difficult topics such as knife crime, online safety, friendships, peer pressure and knowing when to seek help.
“Importantly, the presentation was not designed to scare or frighten the children. Instead, its purpose was to empower them with the tools, awareness and confidence to recognise situations that don’t feel right, make informed decisions and know where to turn for support if they need it.”
Police thanked Olly’s Work for delivering the session and St Mary & All Saints CE Primary School for supporting the initiative.
More information about the charity and its work is available via its website.
