Schoolchildren’s Designs Combat Motorbike Nuisance

Permanent signs addressing anti-social behavior linked to motorbikes have been created from designs by three schoolchildren. This project at Kings Heath Primary Academy in Northampton originated after police community support officers made regular visits, leading the school to organize a competition for students to develop posters raising awareness. Over 100 pupils engaged in the initiative, submitting designs intended to underscore the problem and foster community safety. The successful designs have now been transformed into signs positioned outside the school premises. An unveiling event for the signs took place on December 3, with attendees including Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone, PCSO Andy Emberton, who served as a competition judge, and the families of the winning students. Ms Stone expressed her satisfaction, stating, “I am pleased to see that work is being done to tackle the problems of motorcycle nuisance in Kings Heath.” This competition formed a component of Northamptonshire Police’s continuous endeavors to reduce motorbike nuisance within the locality. Sarah Durbin, the principal of Kings Heath Primary Academy, commented: “By partnering with local police to create signs for the community, our school not only reinforces safety and awareness but also fosters a sense of unity, showing that together we can build a stronger, more connected community.” She added, “It also allows our school to help spread messages of safety, respect and co-operation, turning every sign into a symbol of shared responsibility and care for one another.” PCSO Emberton, who frequently visits educational institutions in the area, stated: “We know that motorcycle nuisance has been a problem in Kings Heath for a while, and as a neighbourhood policing team we have been working hard to try to reduce it as much as we can.” He further noted that, “Being able to visit the school on a regular basis to help the children build trust and confidence in the police force has been extremely rewarding and has meant that the children have been more engaged making their signs.” The financial support for these signs originated from the Supporting Communities Fund, an initiative managed by the police, fire and crime commissioner’s office.