HUNDREDS of children from across Ramsbottom were given valuable lessons by the police and a series of successful workshops.

PC Adele Schofield and senior prison officer Paul McGovern visited Holcombe Brook Primary School, St Joseph’s, Peel Brow and Springside Primary School with their Actions Have Consequences workshops.

The sessions informed pupils how their actions can affect them and their local community and the negative outcomes that could occur.

One of the topics discussed during the four sessions was bullying and how it can be prevented and who to report it to.

PC Schofield said: “The workshops went brilliantly and it was fantastic to see how engaged and interested the children were.

“We have had such good feedback from parents and the schools which makes it all worthwhile.

“I had an email from one parent who said that her son had come home and told her that he was being bullied, and he only came forward because of what had been discussed in the session.

“As a police officer I care very much about my local community, especially the children and young people in the area who are at a very impressionable time in their lives, and events like this are a fantastic opportunity for the children in our schools to take part in.

“I hope that the pupils went home with a better understanding of the Police and the Prison Service, and that the activities covered in the workshop will help them make the right choices to the benefit of the local Bury community and to their own futures.”

Subjects also included nuisance 999 calls, bullying, anti-social behaviour, stranger danger, internet safety as well as others.

Although the workshops carried a serious message, they were structured to be fun, informative and engaging.

Since its inception in 2009 in the Manchester area, the Actions Have Consequences workshops have been attended by over 350,000 pupils across several boroughs of Greater Manchester.

Every key stage two pupil that attended the workshop was also given a booklet, which is designed to help teachers engage with students on their understanding of what they have learnt throughout the day.

Four children from each school, one from every year group, were selected to win a £25 toyshop voucher, donated by Ramsbottom Business Group.

The winning children then met up with PC Schofield on Saturday to spend their vouchers.

PC Schofield added: “It was great to meet up with all the children again after the workshops.

“It really was an amazing week and the feedback we have had is great.

“All of the children were mesmerised throughout the whole session, taking it all in, and it is all worthwhile when you hear that you have made a difference to just one child.

“It is something that we haven’t done in the Bury division for a while so I’m glad that we have brought it back.”