Mini detectives take on big investigation

Our Mini Police have undertaken their biggest challenge yet, by becoming junior detectives for their school.

The Mini Police programme looks to inform and educate primary school children in years five and six, on the role the police do and the skills needed to work within the uniformed services.

One of these inputs came into its own, when our young investigators were informed of a theft within their school, which relied on them to investigate.

To complete the challenge, they first had a lesson by our visiting Crime Investigation team on what crime is, laws and why they’re in place, our rights and responsibilities and the consequences of crime.

They were then taught how to investigate crime; creating witness statements and learning how to use forensics to confirm identity.

The children also had a visit from CSI, who explained their role, showed some of the equipment they use and helped them to record fingerprints.

The young detectives were then put to the test, a crime had taken place at their school and it was up to the children to run the investigation.

One of these investigations took place at the Model Village Primary School, where the children arrived at school to find that the Kings crown has been stolen. The scenario was devised and set up by PCSO Mason, who has been working with the children at the school.

He explained that repairs were taking place at Buckingham Palace and all except one CCTV camera was down during the crime. The guards and staff have been cleared of any wrongdoing, so it’s now up to the Mini Police to review the scene and conduct their own investigation.

There is one witness, a man who was working on repairs to the roof at Buckingham Palace, and who’s statement is yet to be taken.

The class was then split into three groups, with each group given 15 minutes in the room to determine what had happened.

The room was scattered with evidence ranging from an unattended and empty bag, a pair of gloves and a wrench. An unidentified male was sat in the middle of the room wearing a leather jacket, with their hood up. He was acting a little suspicious but was claiming he was the witness to the event.

The kids went around the room, drawing out the crime scene, taking notes on the evidence left, taking the statement of the male and finally reviewing the CCTV.

The CCTV showed a male wearing the exact same hoodie as the male in the room. The paint on the door also matched that on the males’ hands, and his statement was flaky. At this point, the Mini Police officers had reasonable grounds for an arrest and so arrested the male on suspicion of theft.

PC Warsop then assisted the children by searching the male, when his hood was pulled down, it revealed the crown on his head which was then taken in as evidence to assist the children with charging for the crime of theft.

Similar scenarios to this have taken place at many of the Mini Police schools across Derbyshire. They have proven to be a huge success and will continue to develop the students’ skills and experiences.

We’d like to extend a big thank you to the schools who are part of the programme and the many officers and staff who take the time to visit their local schools to help the programme run.