Devon Cub Scouts first to earn re-launched police badge

Cub Scouts in Devon well and truly did their best to become the first owners of a re-launched police badge in Devon and Cornwall.

More than 30 Cub Scouts from Highweek and Kingskerswell studied personal safety and detective skills to earn the newly-restored Devon and Cornwall Police Cub Scout Badge.

The badge was first presented some years ago but was not being awarded very often. Now thanks to the support of Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer and Assistant Cub Scout Commissioner Sandra Johnson, the badge has been re-launched.

The Newton Abbot Cub Scouts were the first to trial and achieve the badge which is designed to educate youngsters about ways to stay safe as well as the role of the police.

To earn the badge the Highweek Pack undertook a range of activities organised by one of their volunteer helpers PC Rob Wilson, a response officer based at Torquay. They included learning how to become a good citizen and how and when to call 999 and 101 for the police.

PC Wilson also invited a fellow officer to undertake a mock theft in the Scout hut watched by the cubs who then provided witness accounts.

The Kingskerswell Cubs undertook similar activities including a video identification parade and a visit to the police cells at Torquay police station meeting up with Sergeant Mo Herbert. The pack also took the chance to invest a new leader into the Scout movement inside a cell.

The youngsters attended a special ceremony at police headquarters to officially receive their badges from Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer and Sandra Johnson.

Ten-year-old Thomas Barlass from Kingskerswell was the first to receive the badge.  He honoured the chief constable with the Cub Scout Salute before leading the group in a ‘Bravo’ as a thank you.

All Cub Scouts in Devon and Cornwall can now achieve the badge and the initiative has been funded from the Proceeds of Crime Act where seized assets of criminals are reinvested into crime-fighting and community activities.

Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer said: “We are delighted to see the police badge make a return. It is a great opportunity for Cub Scouts to learn vital skills at an early age about keeping themselves safe and how the police work. We hope they are inspired them and we may even see them as new police recruits in the future!”

Assistant Cub Scout Commissioner Sandra Johnson added: “The badge is unique within the scouting movement as it can be earned by Cub Scouts in two different counties. Our first Cub Scouts loved it – they thoroughly enjoyed the activities and learned a great deal about the work undertaken by the police."

Picture shows Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer, Asst. Cub Scout Commissioner Sandra Johnson and Cub Scout Thomas Barlass.