Police duo visit children at Heckmondwike Mosque for talk on road safety and 'stranger danger'

Batley and Spen Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector Khalid Sadiq, along with the Kirklees Division's Superintendent Warren Pitman, visited the Albion Street Mosque to talk with children about the work of the police.

The youngsters got to know what essential qualities are needed to become a uniform police officer through a friendly question and answers session.

Inspector Sadiq also used the visit to speak with the children about the importance of road safety, whilst his colleague Superintendent Pitman gave some valuable advice through a “stranger danger” talk to the kids on staying safe.

Insp Sadiq said: “The visit was part of my wider commitment towards community engagement as Acting NPT Inspector for Batley and Spen.

“The purpose behind these engagement visits is to raise a proactive awareness around crime prevention and to educate members of the public, as well as children and young people, by talking to them inside safe spaces like our different educational facilities, charities, businesses and our religious establishments.

“Two areas of the police's engagement work are on the topics of road safety and ‘stranger danger’. Both subjects are very important, especially for children making their way to and from school during daytime, or whilst walking towards any after-school hour activities in the evenings.

“Road safety and the theme of ‘stranger danger’ are equally important during the holiday periods when our children obviously have more time to spend outside. These topics will be just as important during the approaching winter months as the daylight hours begin to get shorter.”

His comments were reinforced by Superintendent Pitman, who said: “Our dedicated Neighbourhood Policing Teams spend time engaging with all communities in Kirklees, visiting many different events, groups and projects, whilst providing reassurance to residents on issues concerning them.

“Engaging with young people is an important part of our engagement strategy and I hope they enjoy the interaction with our officers and staff.

“Madrassahs, like many other provisions in the district, make up a useful after-school hours provision for young people. Together, they form valuable resources that the young generation can access within their own neighbourhoods.

“I therefore felt absolutely delighted to be allowed to visit, and to get to know the teachers, as well as to speak with the very well behaved children at the Albion Street place of worship's Madrassah.”

The two police officers also gave out colourful hand-drawn “Stop, Look and Listen” posters to each of the different Madrassah classes. The drawing has been designed by Heckmondwike artist Waseem Ashrafi.

The Kanzul-Iman Jamia Mosque's Head-Imam and senior Muslim Scholar, Mufti Allama-Moalana Shams-Ul-Huda Khan Misbahi, said: “I have always cherished the wonderful community partnership existing between West Yorkshire Police's Kirklees Division and the Kirklees Faith Network initiative, working with the Kanzul-Iman Jamia Mosque.

“This lovely partnership has led to numerous useful talks for our youngsters on topics like road safety and ‘stranger danger’, as well as discussions held previously on the harmful effects of substance misuse.

“Education and crime prevention are the main reasons behind everything being done through this valuable three-way partnership.”