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Wednesday 9 Jul 2008

MOSTON PUPILS ‘SHIELDED’ FROM DANGER

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A group of Moston primary school pupils has won a special behind-the-scenes tour of Manchester’s busy Piccadilly railway station and a shield trophy sponsored by Network Rail’s award winning No Messin’ campaign. They were winners of a safety quiz in a competition designed to teach them how to keep themselves safe.

The competition was arranged jointly between Network Rail’s community safety team and two community support officers from Greater Manchester Police in the run up to the Network Rail No Messin’ Live! event in August.

Pupils from years 3, 4, 5 and 6 at five North Manchester schools in the Moston area had to answer 50 multiple choice questions on the subject of railway, road and personal safety. The schools taking part were New Moston, Moston Fields, Broadhurst, St Dunstan’s and St Mary’s

Martin Gallagher, who heads up the campaign for Network Rail, said he was pleased the company had decided to sponsor the shield as part of No Messin’: "By trespassing, taking short cuts or spraying graffiti, too many young people are needlessly killed or hurt on our railways. Others think it is fun to throw stones at trains or put objects on the tracks not realising the dangers. No Messin’ makes young people aware of these dangers and our Live! events give them the opportunity to try something new and learn new skills, many of which they can take away and continue with throughout the summer."

Inspector Leon Jacobs from the neighbourhood policing team at Harpurhey police station said: "This competition has proved to be very popular with young people and is a positive example of what can be achieved when we work with other agencies as well as young people in the local area.

"Historically, we have experienced issues where young people have been found playing near rail tracks and have also been involved in antisocial behaviour. Initiatives such as this, aim to reduce both the risk of serious injury to young people as well as reducing incidents of antisocial behaviour in the area. Education is utilised in a fun way to increase both awareness of the dangers and also the impact of antisocial behaviour on other people.

"PCSOs John Cannon and Janet Mcnamara, with Network Rail, have captured the imagination of local young people and I am keen to continue this excellent work across Manchester, and together, make North Manchester a safer place to live and work."

The two-day No Messin’ Live! event is aimed at young people between the ages of approximately 10 to 16 years and will give them the chance to try numerous activities from wrestling, boxing, football free-styling and rock wall climbing, to riding motorcycles, learning to break-dance and trying their hand at being a DJ.

No Messin’ Live! is taking place at North Manchester High School for Boys, Charlestown Road, Manchester, 12- 4 pm on 13 and 14 August.