Heading into secondary school can be a time when young people start to gain some independence, so receiving life experience tips can set them in good stead.

Over the past couple of months, an officer from Barking and Dagenham Council has been co-ordinating its Junior Citizen programme along with the Dagenham Met Police Schools Officer.

This year the programme ran for three weeks throughout May and June and saw 29 schools and 2,382 children take part.

The annual event provides young people with advice and guidance around how to keep safe in everyday life and is an engaging and practical experience involving partners from:

• The Metropolitan Police Service
• London Fire Brigade
• London Ambulance Service
• Transport for London
• Vandome Cycles
• Royal National Lifeboat Institution
• Subwize

Speakers from these organisations delivered key messages and raised awareness on what young people can do to increase their safety as well as that of their friends and family.

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “Ensuring that our young people have the tools to live a safe and prosperous life is important, so events like this play a huge part.

“I hope the young people enjoyed it and I would like to thank everyone involved for taking the time to put on a great event and providing the students with priceless life advice.”