Over 160 Cub Scouts from twelve Scout groups across Rotherham have taken part in special weekend event held at the Lifewise Centre, Hellaby, becoming the first members of the organisation in more than a decade to attain the Police Badge, a special award run in partnership between South Yorkshire Police and the Rotherham District Scout Association.

The Police Badge is a unique award, that is only available to Rotherham Cub Scouts and was developed to help the youngsters learn more about police work as well as offering support and advice on how to stay safe.

As part of their work towards the badge, the Cubs met with serving police officers who talked about their work, and gave them the opportunity to experience a courtroom, see inside a prison cell, as well as taking part in range of activities which

looked at personal safety,  alcohol abuse, stranger danger and road safety.

The weekend event saw the Cubs attain eight different badges as they took advantage of the different facilities within the Lifewise Centre to complete awards in Personal Safety, IT and athletics, as well as participating in the Cub Scout Community Challenge

The Cubs received a surprise visit from a fire engine and were taught about fire safety from the local fire brigade.

The weekend culminated in a live performance as part of the Cubs’ entertainer badge which included joining with parents for a rendition sing song, finishing the memorable weekend on a high.

Sally Harrison, Cub Scout Assistant District Commissioner said:

“The Police Badge is a very special award which was launched nationally in the early 1970s and one that ran successfully in Rotherham for over twenty years. For the past few months we have been working closely with South Yorkshire Police to resurrect the award, which resulted in the weekend we spent at the Lifewise Centre. It proved to be a very memorable weekend for all our young members, who left with armfuls of new badges.”

“I’m sure that based on the success of the weekend that it will once again become a regular fixture on the Scouting calendar. I’d like to personally thank Chief Superintendent Harwin and his team for all their help in enabling the Police Badge to be resurrected in Rotherham.”

C/Supt Jason Harwin, Rotherham District Commander, Rotherham Safer Neighbourhood Team said:

 

“It’s fantastic that the Rotherham Cub Scouts group have identified an opportunity to play their part in helping keep themselves and the wider community safer. I hope the learning and benefits this initiative brings is shared and delivered in other parts of South Yorkshire”.

 
“The Scout movement has always had a positive impact upon the lives of youngsters. The skills learnt on the weekend will ensure that there is a greater appreciation of the work the police do within the community as well as giving the cubs an opportunity to ask questions about policing.  Being a former Cub and Scout, it’s always a privilege to take part and support such worthwhile activities”.

The event was made possible after the Cubs received a donation of £500 by South Yorkshire Police to cover the costs of the Police Badge and certificates, as well as allowing the Cubs to use the Lifewise Centre free of charge.