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Free ice skating and educational sessions are being provided to young people as part of an initiative to improve the lives of children in Nottingham.
Nottinghamshire Police has partnered with the city’s National Ice Centre to provide 10 weeks of free ice-skating sessions for around 30 children, including those who are vulnerable or socially excluded.
The sessions, for boys and girls aged between 11 and 16, are run by neighbourhood and schools officers who are passionate about engaging with children and those at greater risk of being criminally exploited to improve their confidence in speaking with the police about their concerns.
First launched as a successful pilot in January 2024, the scheme welcomed a second group of young people in September last year and is now an annual initiative.
The programme, known as Operation Polarised, aims to provide the children with a safe space to socialise, make new friends, and learn new skills whilst also delivering educational sessions on topics including personal safety, knife crime, and child sexual exploitation.
The Friday evening sessions, which will run from January 31 until April 4, have been enabled through a partnership between Nottinghamshire Police and the National Ice Centre, which is providing a discounted pathway into ice sports.
This includes a particular focus on young women and girls, as ice sports traditionally have higher female participation, to further support force-wide efforts to prevent and reduce violence against women and girls.
Alongside officers at the skating sessions, specially trained ice centre staff will be available that young people can approach with any concerns and receive appropriate safeguarding support.
To encourage participation, young people who attend the sessions will receive a reward at the conclusion of the scheme.
Inspector Paul Peatfield, Nottinghamshire Police’s engagement team lead, said: “Operation Polarised has had a successful first year and I’m pleased that we can continue this partnership with the National Ice Centre.
“Sport is an effective way of engaging with young people, nurturing their confidence, and encouraging them to reach their full potential.
“It also allows us to combine a fun activity with classroom sessions that ultimately educate young people on key messages to help keep them safe and prevent them from becoming involved with antisocial and other criminal behaviour.
“This scheme offers children the opportunity to take part in something they may not otherwise get to experience and equips them with the knowledge needed to make positive decisions.
“Vulnerable children are at a greater risk of being exploited by criminals and this project instead gets them off the street into a safe environment where they can develop new skills.
“Young people who have taken part in this scheme have told us it has increased their confidence to speak with officers about their concerns, which demonstrates the value of engaging with young people to build relationships and prevent disorder.”
Eleni Hallam, ice sports team leader at the National Ice Centre said: “We’re really excited to continue our partnership with Nottinghamshire Police to deliver this fantastic programme.
“Operation Polarised provides a unique opportunity for young people in Nottingham to get involved in ice sports for free, while also learning about important topics in classroom sessions, which is something we are really proud to support.”