SHE’S called Newsome, works at Newsome High School and is embedded in … Newsome.
Pc Caroline Newsome has changed young people’s attitudes towards themselves and the police.
Since the 41-year-old started her community role based inside Newsome High School and Sports College four years ago she has made a big impact, especially on behaviour and truancy.
Noel Kitterick, head of year 10 at the school, said: “Caroline has certainly made her mark both at the school and in the local community for her friendly, helpful and always willing approach, with whatever is asked of her.
“The students at Newsome just love to be around her. They feel very comfortable about going to her with their problems and issues. A lot of students just like spending time with her and having a chin-wag and they love her company.
“As part of her role in the school which has developed through Caroline’s style and approach, she does a lot of home visits to help tackle behaviour and attendance issues.
“Because of her friendly, supportive and easy manner she is able to put parents at ease straight away and get them on board with tackling the problem. As a result of her non-confrontational or judgemental approach, more parents now come into school and contact staff because of the important links she has developed between the school and home.’’
He added: “Working with Caroline is easy. She is very professional but can also lighten serious situations at the right time. She has a good personality and is always ready for a laugh and is able to see the lighter side of most situations.
“Because of her caring and helpful nature, Caroline always makes time for anyone who needs to see her and always tries to give good advice.’’
Pc Newsome organises crime and personal safety awareness day, which has seen her leading sessions on self-defence, knife crime, alcohol awareness and anti-social behaviour.
Noel added: “These kind of activities are extremely valuable links for the school as it provides rare opportunities for students to broaden their life experience and awareness of real life issues.’’
Pc Newsome’s community work has also seen her organising a group of students to do gardening on the local estate, clearing rough areas during the school holidays.
One project involved re-turfing a large area of rough ground on Edale Avenue, turning it into a community garden for elderly residents there.
“Since Caroline started at Newsome more and more students say they would like to be a police officer,’’ Noel added. “Students have been able to see first hand how a police officer works within the community and with local people. This is because they have seen this first hand through Caroline’s positive approach to her work.’’
Pc Newsome, who has been in the police for 12 years, said: “I love the job I do. It means I can help youngsters in danger of going off the straight and narrow and prevent crime and anti-social behaviour. I’m in a position to stop things from happening.’’
