Pupils at two schools in Nantwich have designed award-winning posters aimed at alerting residents to dangers of doorstep crooks and strangers.
Youngsters at St Anne’s Catholic Primary and Stapeley Broad Lane Primary were among others in South Cheshire to be recognised in a competition run by Cheshire East Council’s Trading Standards team.
As part of the team’s “Knock Knock” campaign, Officers have been visiting schools in Crewe, Nantwich and Middlewich talking to Year Five and Six pupils on how to keep safe in the home when cold called by strangers at the door.
This is then passed to parents, grandparents and elderly relatives and neighbours.
The campaign, in its fourth year, also alerts children to the kind of people who may knock at their door through an interactive website and an activity book.
Twenty-one schools were visited with presentations made to a total of 792 pupils.
Altogether, the project has seen officers attend 59 primary schools and educate 1,835 pupils in Cheshire East.
Children were set a task of creating posters messaging some of the lessons they had learned from the talks.
The posters were judged by senior members of the council, including the council leader and chief executive.
Pupils submitting winning posters received prizes of water bottles, certificates and a calendar.
Council Leader Cllr Michael Jones said: “This is a very engaging and inspirational project.
“I congratulate my team on the commitment they have shown in helping our young children to understand the risks involved to all when opening their doors to strangers.
“As judges we were very impressed with the quality of the posters and the imagination shown by the children.
“But the most important message from this is that they stay safe.”
Maisie Meacock, 11, one of the overall winners, said: “Not everyone’s aware of it.
“I know of an elderly neighbour who was robbed by workmen who had offered to do some work for her. I was quite surprised at winning.”
Issy Beresford, also 11, said: “I was very surprised. I have the calendar on my bedroom wall. You really do have to look out who you answer the door to. It’s been a thrill to win this.”
Other winning schools included Leighton Academy in Crewe.
Trading Standards welcome interest from other primary schools to arrange a visit.
For more information call 01270 685900 or visit www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/tradingstandards and www.knockknockwhosthere.net
(Picture: Back row Reece Pitman, 10, Morgan Walley, 10; Front row Issy Beresford, 11, Robyn Hart, 10, Lily Bainham, 11, Maisie Meacock, 11)
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