A NEW Zealand senior constable has observed police staff in the region, as part of funded observation into how Britain’s police forces protects children and young people.

Senior constable Terri Middleton visited police staff and officers at North Yorkshire Police’s headquarters in Northallerton for her three-day visit to the force on Monday, July 1.

Ms Middleton, who works in a prevention role with schools in Greymouth, spent time at the force to learn about school lock down procedures, and how the force dealt with children.

She said: “It has been really interesting to learn all about the different roles that the police have here in the UK and the very good relationships that exist with other agencies and councils.

“What I’ve found amazing is how many other agencies are out there working with the youth.”

On her first evening, Ms Middleton visited a school’s presentation to parents, which focussed on drug use, cybercrime and main child safety issues.

The following day, she met the people behind the ‘Run, Hide and Tell’ procedure, currently adopted as a measure against potential instances of terrorism in Britain’s schools.

On her final day at North Yorkshire Police, she visited Harrogate’s Crucial Crew - a multi-agency event with North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service - where she saw safety workshops being delivered to Year 6 pupils.

Ms Middleton added: “We are having a big review on lock downs in New Zealand, so it’s great to have found out what police forces in the UK are doing that can help us build confidence with schools.”

Before visiting North Yorkshire Police, Ms Middleton spent time observing police forces in Wales and Merseyside.

Sergeant Neil Northend of North Yorkshire Police said: “It was a real pleasure to have Terri here, sharing what we do on a daily basis.

“It’s interesting to find that we have similar styles of policing to those in New Zealand. It’s all about engagement and community-based policing.”

Upon the senior constable’s return to New Zealand, she will be expected to report back on her findings across the UK to oversees police forces.