Published at 16:48, Tuesday, 19 February 2013

UNIFORMED police have been getting up close and personal with the public – by hosting drop-in sessions in pubs and obstacle courses for the younger generations.

Police in Barrow took a trip to the shops and then went to the pub while on duty.

The visits were part of Community Policing Week, which saw police head out to engage with the community and listen to their concerns last week.

Barrow Inspector Ian McClymont said it was also a chance to let people know about the work police do to deal with crime.

He said: “A lot of people don’t actually contact the police and they don’t get the chance to say what concerns them and this is just an opportunity to go to places and find out what communities really want us to be doing.”

On Wednesday cops met shoppers in various Co-op stores around Barrow and on Thursday night officers paid a visit to pubs The Vickerstown, on Walney, and the Golden Ball, in Dalton, to speak to the clientele.

On Thursday, Windermere police also got out into the community, to provide youngsters with a day of fun activities aimed at keeping them out of trouble.

With the help of military-style fitness and education instructors from Commando Joes, officers put the kids through their paces.

PCSO Sarah Blacow said the day had been a huge success.

She added: “We had a fabulous time – it was absolutely brilliant.

“Commando Joes brought out this great big tunnel that had inflatables inside and they had a really good assault course.”

PCSE Blacow said it was particularly pleasing to get so many older kids involved.

She added: “It was a way of channeling their energy. If it weren’t for this they would be sitting at home on their Play-Stations or on the streets saying ‘we’ve got nowhere to go’.”

PCSO Blacow said she was grateful to Goodly Dale School for agreeing to host them and to Carver Church for accommodating them free of charge.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk