Police seeking to create rural -Kiddie Cops' force

A groundbreaking project to educate more than 700 primary school pupils as Rural Rangers will be launched in Hamsterley Forest on Monday.

It follows the example of the Wear and Tees police division's successful Farmwatch scheme, which has been so effective that it has been used as a model in other parts of the country.

The young rangers, who are aged between nine and 11, will be given lessons in rural issues at a series of workshops covering topics including river, forest and farm safety, the danger of going with strangers and healthy eating.

They will also learn from professionals how to use gas, lifts and escalators, and care for wildlife and domestic pets.

Retired gamekeeper Harry Beadle, who worked on Teesdale's Eggleston Moor for 50 years, is one of the tutors who will give a series of 20-minute presentation throughout next week. Co-ordinator Sergeant Mick Hutchinson hopes some of the youngsters will act as extra eyes and ears in the countryside, telling their parents or teachers if they see anything suspicious.

He said: "It is a form of junior Neighbourhood Watch scheme for the countryside. Everybody has a right to feel safe and be safe no matter where they live. Children from rural areas have different needs from those in urban areas. They come from different backgrounds, with different outlooks and values. They often have to be more independent and resourceful than their urban counterparts, sometimes finding themselves in situations without an adult to turn to for advice or assistance."

The youngsters will have the chance to win a mountain bike in a free draw, and each of them will receive a t-shirt bearing the Rural Rangers logo and other gifts.

Sgt Hutchinson, from the community safety team at Bishop Auckland Police, said: "The Rural Rangers scheme gives a signal to rural young people that we care about their future and are actively seeking ways, in partnership with them and other agencies, to improve their way of life."