Mia Bingham, 7, of Hartburn Primary School, Stockton, fought off competition from 7,500 other youngsters to win this year’s Cleveland Police Art of Safety competition.
Presenting first prize to Mia at an awards ceremony, Cleveland Chief Constable Sean Price revealed that Mr Thorpe, who had launched the competition, had asked for a framed copy of the winning design to hang on his wall.
The competition, now in its fourth year, is run by Cleveland Police and sponsored by the Cleveland Police Authority and, this year attracted private sector funding from Steria. This year it was launched by Mr Thorpe during a visit to his old school of St Joseph’s on Marton Road, Middlesbrough.
Neighbourhood officers then visited local schools across Cleveland to discuss safety with youngsters and invited them to draw a picture on the theme of Keeping People Safe @ Christmas.
Each school chose a winner and from these three finalists were selected in each of three age categories. The overall winners and runners-up were presented with their prizes during an awards ceremony at Police HQ.
Mia won an iPod for herself, plus a visit from the Force helicopter and £1,500 for her school. As well as adorning Mr Thorpe’s wall, her winning design will also be used as the Force Christmas card this year.
Mr Price said: “This competition provides officers with a great opportunity to hear first hand from children any safety concerns they have and to also discuss how young people can improve their own safety and the safety of others.
“We were pleased that an artist as highly regarded as Mr Thorpe agreed to launch the competition in October and when I saw him just last week he asked that we send him a copy of the winning entry to hang on his wall.”
Added Police Authority Member Pam Andrews-Mawer “It’s always great to see the enthusiasm—and the talent—shown by the young people...and to have the support of an artist of Mackenzie Thorpe’s reputation really is an added bonus.
“This competition, together with other initiatives such as the production by young people of their own versions of the policing plan, the response of thousands of youngsters to the survey in the plan—and of course the success of our Cadet scheme—demonstrates how keen the younger generation are to support the police service and help shape its future.”
Assistant Chief Officer Ann Hall, who organised the competition, said: “We were delighted at the enormous number of entries this year. Whilst it made judging very difficult, it showed once again how talented our young people are and how art can be used to encourage youngsters to think about and discuss safety.”
The full list of winners and prizes follows:
Key Stage 1. (Aged 5-7)
Winner: Mia Bingham, 7, Hartburn Primary School.
Runners Up: Olivia Lillystone, 6, Chaloner Primary School, Guisborough; Bethany Prior, 5, Pennyman Primary School, Middlesbrough.
Key Stage 2. (Aged 8-11)
Winner: Tayla Bywater, 11, Zetland Primary School, Redcar.
Runners-up: Sean Sheridan, 10, St Benedict’s RC Primary School, Redcar; Emma Lonsdale, 9, Billingham South Community Primary School.
Key Stage 3. (Aged 12-14)
Winner: Hannah Kitchener, 13, Bydales School, Marske.
Runners-up: Rachael Harrison, 12, Manor College of Technology, Hartlepool; Brittany Walker, 13, Ormesby Comprehensive School, Middlesbrough.
Key Stage Winners all received a Chief Constable’s certificate, iPod nano, poster featuring their design and £500 for their school.
Runners Up received a certificate, iPod shuffle and poster of their design.
Overall Winner: Mia Bingham.
Also received an A3 framed copy of her entry, £50 iTunes voucher and 25 Christmas cards featuring her design. School received a further £1,000 and visit from the force helicopter.
Special Award, Most Humorous and Best Policing Message
Scott Ralston, 12, Redcar Community College.
Prize: iPod nano, poster of design plus £250 for his college.
School Showing Most Commitment to Competition:
Winner: Sacred Heart, Middlesbrough.
Prize: £500.
