Peasedown Mini Police is an initiative that empowers 10-year-old children to research, design and lead vital crime-prevention campaigns. From tackling knife crime to senior fraud, the project aims to eliminate the fear of anti-social behaviour across their village.
Operating out of Peasedown St John Primary School in partnership with the Avon and Somerset Neighbourhood Policing Team, the initiative has become a permanent pillar of village life, culminating in winning the Richard Walduck Award at the National Crimebeat Awards 2026.
The Challenge
For years, the Somerset village of Peasedown St John struggled under the weight of a challenging reputation. Persistent anti-social behaviour and local crime had fostered a widespread, generational fear of crime among the resident population.
Local police recognised that to truly break this cycle, they needed to reach the community’s children before they started high school. The project aimed to cultivate an early sense of village pride, dismantle the barriers separating young people from law enforcement and establish positive behaviours that would act as a protective shield as the children transitioned into their teenage years.
The Innovation
The longevity and success of the Peasedown Mini Police lie in its trust in young people. For nearly a decade, the program has rejected passive learning. Instead, each new cohort of 10-year-olds is given the responsibility to act as genuine community leaders.
Every year, the children research the issues currently bothering their neighbours. From their research, they then pitch solutions and hold a democratic vote to decide their next campaign. Demonstrating remarkable maturity, these primary school students have successfully designed and managed local initiatives tackling issues, including:
- Knife crime awareness drives.
- Campaigns against rogue trading and distraction burglary targeting the elderly.
- Speeding awareness and play-area vandalism reduction.
Evaluation and Impact
The Mini Police do not work in isolation. Backed by Headteacher Ruth Knowle, local ward councillors, and the Parish Council, the children take an active role in civic life. They regularly co-host local beat surgeries and meetings alongside police officers, ensuring that future safety projects are shaped directly by the lived experiences of residents.
The true impact of the project is within the actions of its members. As Mini Police members grow up and graduate into local high schools, they carry their training with them, managing conflicts among older teenagers and fostering an enduring, positive relationship between the local youth culture and the police.
Having thrived for nine years, the Peasedown Mini Police project is a proven blueprint for sustainable, early-intervention youth work. To guarantee that the scheme remains a permanent source of pride for the village, the team is currently collaborating with the Peasedown St John Parish Council to secure dedicated funding to cover future resources.
