Police work taster for college students

TEENAGERS across West Somerset have been given a taste of what is required to work in the police force.
Youngsters from the West Somerset College, Minehead, spent the past week with one of the town’s police officers, PC Charlie Fitzpatrick.
The experienced a flavour of everyday working life for a police officer and for Police Community Support Officerse.
Activities included taking part in a police physical, learning how to use a police radio, learning about powers of arrest, and using a driving simulator.
The students also had sessions with a dog handler, the police helicopter, underwater search team, and even had an opportunity to don protective equipment used in public order situations.
They were able to put their new-found skills to the test when they posed as police officers in a series of scenarios, including asking other students what they would do in a missing person search and during a serious road traffic collision involving a cyclist.
The week ended with the students being presented with certificates for their work with the initiative, which also goes towards endeavour credits for their college courses.
PC Fitzpatrick said: “The week was a great success and a big insight into the role of police officers and PCSOs.
“It is important that young people see how we work in order to fully appreciate what the police are about and this week gave the students a very broad look at policing in West Somerset.
“We could also have been looking at police officers and PCSOs of the future, as recruitment to the constabulary was also explained.
“It is not often we are able to hold work experience weeks on this scale, but hopefully it is an eye opener for all involved.”

• Our photographs show (from top): Youngsters being given a 'hands on' experience of the police helicopter; Working with Sgt Mike Smalley, of the Road Policing Unit; Handling a serious road traffic collision involving a cyclist, with PSCO Les Lloyd. Photos submitted.

Appeal by police to help find vulnerable woman missing on Exmoor

AN urgent appeal has been made by police for people to help to trace a high-risk vulnerable missing woman on Exmoor.
Celia Speirs, aged 75, went missing from an address in Dulverton, where she was staying on holiday with relatives, on Wednesday afternoon (May 14).
Mrs Speirs, who is from Scotland, was last seen at about 4.30 pm in Milham Lane, in Musgraves, walking in the direction of Brushford.
She is described as a white woman of slim build, about 5 ft 2 ins tall, with straight collar-length grey hair, and wearing glasses.
When she went missing, she was wearing a navy blue blouse with short sleeves, a navy blue skirt, and navy blue shoes.
Police are concerned that Mrs Speirs suffers with a short-term memory and would not know the area in which she went missing.
Although she might appear confused, it is likely she would speak to people.
She has a Scottish accent.
In addition to police officers and police community support officers searching for Mrs Speirs, the Exmoor Search and Rescue Team and police helicopter were also involved in trying to find her.
Police were concerned because it was believed Mrs Speirs did not have a coat or jacket with her when she went missing and could be vulnerable in bad overnight weather.
They are appealing for anybody in the Dulverton and Brushford area who spots a woman answering Mrs Speirs' description to contact them immediately.
Anybody who is able to help should call Taunton police station on 0845 4567000.