HEIDELBERG. – The police in Heidelberg under the leadership of station commander Colonel Phiwe Samuel Ndwandwe recently conducted an out reach at Bambino Pre-School and Crèche along Strydom Street in the Heidelberg CBD.

The visit forms part of Child Protection Week and was carried out in conjunction with Social Crime Prevention and CPF Coordinator, Captain Mzwandile Blose and Domestic Violence and Victim Friendly Facility (VFF) and Victim Empowerment Centre (VEC) Coordinator Constable Nosiphiwo Makinana.

Police spokesperson Captain Thivhulawi Tshilate says, “The outreach programme is the continuation of Child Protection Week focusing on children’s safety. During their visit, members taught children about bullying, abstaining from playing with dangerous weapons and discussed issues of domestic violence.

Children were further advised to abstain from handling boiling water and other dangerous appliances without the supervision of an adult person.

“Officers advised kids to avoid taking gifts such as sweets from strangers and to avoid putting steel or iron rods in the electricity plugs.”

National Child Protection Week is commemorated in the country annually to raise awareness of the rights of children as articulated in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and Children’s Act (Act No. 38 of 2005).