Hampshire Constabulary

Play Centre gets a festive treat from Portsmouth police

Press Releases

Published: 22/12/2010

Police from Portsmouth’s Kingston and Nelson Safer Neighbourhoods teams helped Christmas come early to local children today in Buckland.

Several officers and PCSOs from the two Fratton based police teams went along to a children’s community Christmas party, and provided over 150 selection boxes for around 70 youngsters aged from four to thirteen years.

The party, held at Buckland Play Centre, was filled with Christmas cheer in the form of officers dressed in festive costume, party games and even a visit from Santa Clause for the little ones.

PCSO Lucy Nevill from the Nelson Safer Neighbourhoods said: “The Buckland Christmas party is an annual event that we have been part of for the last few years. This year we thought we would make it extra special with our station enquiry officer dressing as Santa, and giving out presents to all of the kids.”

PCSO Nevill managed to secure the funds that paid for the children’s gifts through Hampshire Constabulary, and Buckland Park Play Association provided food for the event. The centre itself was decorated with festive artwork from the children and play centre staff, and had a DJ, a giant Christmas tree and a grotto for the children to visit Santa Clause.

Buckland Play Centre site leader Nicky Andrews ran the event, and has worked with the police many times in the past for other local events. She said: “Our Christmas parties have been running for over 20 years, and they’re a great way to bring the community together.

“I’m really pleased to see the police helping out today. They’ve been brilliant in providing so many children with gifts, and I hope we can continue to work with them on events like this in the future.”

Featured in the photo are:
Back Row - PCSO Chris Akass, Station Enquiry Officer Kim Andrew,  PCSO Lucy Nevill and Play Centre Site leader Nicky Andrews.
Front Row - Caroline Kweicien, aged 11, Lenny Holden, aged 5, and Eva Blake, aged 4