Bethany Jefferson, 12, a pupil at Laurence Jackson School, Guisborough, fought off competition from nearly 5,000 entrants to claim first prize in the Cleveland Police Art of Safety competition.
In recent weeks Neighbourhood Police teams have visited schools across the Force area to discuss safety issues with youngsters.
Children were then asked to design a Christmas card on the theme of “Keeping our Neighbourhoods Safe @ Christmas”. At an awards ceremony at Police HQ, Bethany’s traditional design featuring a snowman and a robin was selected as the overall winner and will be used as the Force e-card this year.
Bethany won an iPod nano and shuffle, iTunes voucher, a framed copy of her winning design and pack of Christmas cards featuring her artwork. Her school won £1,500 and a visit from the Force helicopter in the competition sponsored by Steria and the Cleveland Police Authority.
Bethany said: “I like bird watching and that gave me the idea of drawing a robin and a snowman and then I added a safety message.”
Bethany’s head of year Mrs Mary King said: “We are absolutely thrilled that Bethany has won and we’ll have to think carefully how to spend the prize money. Art is very important because it is an enjoyable way for children to express themselves.”
Cleveland Temporary Chief Constable Jacqui Cheer, who presented the prizes, said: “It has been a marvellous competition which has seen our neighbourhood teams engaging with thousands of local children.
“Apart from encouraging the tremendous artistic talent locally, Art of Safety helps bring young people and their local police teams together and it’s very important that we open that link as early as possible.”
