Girlguiding members from across Wiltshire converged at the Wiltshire Police Headquarters in Devizes on Sunday, 9th March, for an action-packed day of teamwork and problem-solving, all in pursuit of the coveted Girlguiding Wiltshire Police Challenge Badge.
Over 100 Girl Guides, Brownies, and their leaders participated in the second annual Wiltshire Police Challenge event, designed to foster critical thinking, leadership skills, and a deeper understanding of public service.
The immersive event provided a unique opportunity to explore the vital role of the police in safeguarding local communities. Importantly, it also provided Wiltshire Police with a valuable platform to listen to the concerns and priorities of young women living in the county.
The day was structured around three engaging activities: designing a police force tailored to the county's needs within a budget, solving a mock burglary by gathering evidence in an immersive training exercise, and participating in a public order training exercise while learning about protective clothing and equipment.
Chief Constable Catherine Roper, a Guide Leader herself and the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) lead for Child and Young People, presented the badges to the participants after they completed the challenges. “We were thrilled to welcome Wiltshire Girlguiding members once again this weekend for the second time. The success of the inaugural event in 2024 made it clear how important it is to continue this initiative.
"Organisations like Girlguiding play a vital role in the lives of young people, offering positive role models, safe spaces, and opportunities to develop valuable skills. As a Guide Leader myself, and a Girl Guide Ambassador for the Southwest Region, I know that public service is a thread that connects Girlguiding and Policing. Our Police challenge event is a fantastic opportunity to foster the idea of public service.”
Liz Radford, Joint County Commissioner for Girlguiding Wiltshire North, echoed the sentiment, saying, "We were thrilled to collaborate with Chief Constable Roper and Wiltshire Police for this special event.
"It's a fantastic opportunity for our girls and young women in Girlguiding to learn about the vital work of policing. We wanted our girls and young women to leave the event feeling inspired and know there is a career in policing open to them”
Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson highlighted the importance of the initiative in building trust with young people. "Building trust with our communities, especially young people, has never been more important," he said.
"This work is one further step towards Wiltshire Police, driven by the Chief’s passion for encouraging the development of young people, cementing those foundations in our communities."
The Wiltshire Police Challenge Badge initiative was launched on International Women's Day in 2024.
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