Police use puppets to keep toddlers safe

21 May 2015 - 02:09 By Gareth Wilson

Nelson Mandela Bay police are using puppet shows to teach toddlers about "stranger danger". The outreach project is one of several being used to teach children how to contact the police - in particular, by phoning 10111 - in an emergency.The puppets - including "baddies" Skollie and Morrie - visited Mini Miracles Educare Childcare Centre, in Uitenhage, yesterday. They entertained about 15 toddlers between the ages of four and five.Police spokesman Warrant Officer Gerda Swart said: "The aim is to educate pupils about how the police operate and what to do in an emergency. The main topic is the danger of talking to strangers."The children are encouraged to participate in the show.In one scene Mary the puppet is playing in a park when she is approached by a man who asks her questions."We teach the children to run away and alert the police or their parents should this ever happen," Swart said.Skollie and Morrie demonstrate to children how to identify people who might be attackers.Sergeant Peter Botha and Warrant Officer Susanne Lugogo explain the role of the police in fighting crime.Swart said the police hoped to take the show to other centres in Eastern Cape.She said other outreach projects, such as those propagating drug awareness at schools, and open days for pupils at police stations, were on the way."Currently the play schools we are targeting are predominantly in Uitenhage area but we hope to expand based on the success of the project," she said.The Uitenhage police's visible policing commander, Colonel Andre Swart, said the project had been welcomed by pupils and teachers."We have had great feedback from the community and will continue to run the programmes."..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.