PRIMARY school pupils are to be shown a film about the dangers of terrorists as part of an organised safety day.
More than 2,000 10 and 11-year-olds will see a short film, which urges them to tell the police, their parents or a teacher if they hear anyone expressing extremist views.
The film has been made by school liaison officers and Eastern Division’s new Preventing Violent Extremism team, based at Blackburn.
It uses cartoon animals to get across safety messages.
A lion explains that terrorists can look like anyone, while a cat tells pupils that should get help if they are being bullied and a toad tells them how to cross the road.
The terrorism message is also illustrated with a re-telling of the story of Guy Fawkes, saying that his strong views began forming when he was at school in York. It has been designed to deliver the message of fighting terrorism in accessible way for children.
The film is being shown as part of Lancashire Police’s Streetwise campaign.
Pupils will also be taught how to rescue someone from water, identify risk of fire in the home, the risks of stranger danger and using the internet as learning how to stay safe whilst out and about.
The event, is now in its 16th year but it is the first year that terrorism has been on the agenda.
A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: “Children attending the event will be offered an interactive presentation delivered by police officers who are based in schools. It tells children who they can speak to if they are worried about anything.
“Officers also introduce the issues surrounding terrorism at a very basic level, which forms part of the wider presentation encouraging children to report any concerns around safety to their parents, teachers, or local police.”