Chief Constable on litter-picking duty (From The Advertiser Series)

Chief Constable on litter-picking duty

6:32pm Monday 18th March 2013 in News By Gavin Engelbrecht

DURHAM Police Chief Constable Mike Barton joined a group of primary school children on litter-picking duties today (Monday, March 18).

The pupils from Sherburn Village Primary School, near Durham City, took part in a poster competition organised by officers from the local neighbourhood policing team.

The competition was a way to raise awareness of litter left near the village sports centre on certain days and nights of the week, which was identified as a problem by the children themselves.

School headteacher Teresa Leggett said: “Special Constable Leanne Hogg and PCSO Tom Strawbridge came to work with the older children looking at ways they could improve the environment.

“The children brought up the issue of the amount of litter in the village. So they organised a poster competition to raise awareness – with prizes going to the winners.”

Mr Barton said: “We believe that most of that litter is deposited by adults and it is young children who can have a significant influence on their families by dissuading them (for example) from putting cigarettes out of car windows.

“Our research shows that if the area looks pleasant there will be less crime.”