Navy
Royal Navy And Police In High-Speed Youth Project
The Royal Navy in Hampshire has teamed-up with the local police force to help troubled young people.
The "Cop Car Project" has seen the parade ground at HMS Sultan transformed into a racing test track.
The 10-week challenge sees children, who face difficulties within the normal school system, work as part of a team in order to build a F24 Kit Car.
It's aimed at growing their confidence, teaching them new skills and helping them engage with the police in a positive way - with bobbies having seen a reduced amount of disruptive behaviour from the children since the project began.
Submarine Air Purification Instructor, Chief Petty Officer Mike Woods, has been involved with mentoring the students throughout the project. He said:
“Working alongside the children has been both challenging and rewarding and its been wonderful to see our young sailors who have been involved in supporting the police and coaching and mentoring the children.
“The children seem to have really enjoyed working with engineers in a military environment and many of them are now talking seriously about a career in the field. For many of them it really seems that this project has helped them turn the corner.”
The team are now preparing to take their car to Goodwood Motor Circuit to compete in a day's racing against other teams from across Hampshire Constabulary on February 21st.
As well as practising driving at speed, the time trial event at HMS Sultan offered the team an excellent opportunity to practice changing batteries and to make a quick pit stop
The police is now looking at ways of linking the children into the Hampshire Constabulary Volunteer Police Cadets once their involvement ends.
It's hoped the scheme could reach up to 200 young people each year.
With thanks to L(Phot) Dave Jenkins for photography.
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