Youngsters enjoy Christmas party thanks to police

6:40pm Monday 5th January 2009

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MORE than 30 young people in Bridgwater got into the festive spirit by gathering at the Rollercoaster centre in Parkway for a special Christmas party.

Thrown by the Sydenham beat police team, the Somerset County Youth Service and the regeneration department at Sedgemoor District Council, the party was full of activities to keep the eight to 13-year olds occupied.

Activities included karaoke singing, crafts, badge making and face painting by PCSO Peter Bolton while the police funded a Christmas buffet lunch that went down well with everybody who attended.

PCSO Jemma Gould said: The day was a real success and running events like this is very beneficial to the police. By working with the children, the PCSOs can build relationships, which helps when they need to deal with children in the future.

“By engaging with the community this way, residents feel they can trust the police and therefore have a point of contact within their area.

“The police would like to thank the youth service for holding the day at the Rollercoaster, supplying the karaoke equipment and helping to staff the event.”

Di Monaghan from regeneration at the district council attended the event and helped the children to design glitter Christmas cards and bead bracelets.

She said: “The party was very successful and helped the agencies to interact with the children. It is extremely important for agencies to work together for events like these.”