1 week Ago
A new initiative called the #OpBangChallenge has been launched by North Wales Police in collaboration with PACT and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service. This is aimed at encouraging children and young people between the ages of five and 18 to make a positive impact in their communities. The challenge presents a chance for clubs, groups, and schools to win up to £750.
With Halloween and Bonfire Night rapidly approaching, the organisations are keen to ensure that celebrations are safe and enjoyable for all. Project ideas can revolve around topics such as road safety for young people walking to and from school during winter, or exploring the effects of anti-social behaviour on communities. Other suggestions include raising awareness about the dangers of fireworks and improving neglected areas to help prevent fires.
PC Melanie Cartledge-Davies, North Wales Police’s youth engagement and intervention officer, said: "This is all about looking at ways at how something could be improved in your communities. "This time of the year is traditionally busy for all emergency services across Wales, with a small minority of people using Halloween and Bonfire Night to commit anti-social behaviour, placing themselves and others at risk of injury. "By launching #OpBangChallenge we are hoping that children and young people will be inspired to think of ways on how to make a difference in their communities and is also an opportunity to increase the amount of positive contact between the police and young people.
"This is a great opportunity for them to get together with their friends and help in their local area. "The projects must help make a difference to the lives of other people so we look forward to seeing what creative ideas the teams will come up with and the impact that they’ll have on their communities." Kelsey Reed, PACT manager at North Wales Police, added: "PACT are delighted once again to be involved in the Op Bang Challenge working together in partnership with North Wales Police and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
"It is a great initiative giving young people a chance to give back to their community and be in with a chance of winning some fantastic prizes for themselves or their club." The competition features multiple cash prizes, with the first prize being £750, the second prize £500, and the third prize £250, in addition to other cash rewards. Teams can register from October 14, and the competition will close on November 11.
Further details and registration information can be found on the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
