Rushcliffe officer comes up with Pokemon-style trading cards idea featuring police vehicles as way of boosting youth engagement

Youngsters will soon be able to swap cards of their favourite police vehicles thanks to an initiative by a neighbourhood officer.

Police Constable Daniel Clarke, of the Rushcliffe South neighbourhood policing team (NPT), came up with the idea of Rapid Responder trading cards as a way to boost youth engagement.

PC Clarke hopes the cards will be popular when officers take part in school visits, beat surgeries and other community events.

The trading cards – based on children’s favourites like Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh and Match Attax – could be rolled out to other NPT areas across Nottinghamshire.

PC Clarke said: “I have three children who love trading cards and the idea developed from that.

“Police Interceptors is massively popular and does a great job of showcasing the skills and abilities of our officers. We are always being asked about the show while at events in the community and police vehicles seem to really resonate with young people.

“I want children to be comfortable and confident when talking to police officers and PCSOs, and move away from police being known as the people that ‘take the bad people away’ or the ‘if you’re naughty they’ll take you away’ people.

“Building relationships with the community is key for neighbourhood teams to work effectively and I hope the cards help with that aim.”

The Rushcliffe Rapid Responders cards feature 12 police vehicles – from response cars to operational support vehicles and police aircraft – and will be released in batches over a three-month period.

The cards, which have been funded by Rushcliffe Borough Council, include rankings based on top speeds, brake horsepower and ‘cool factor’.

PC Clarke said: “I’m hoping young people will really like the cards and have had some great feedback so far. I’m really proud of what they look like and it would be great to see groups of children swapping them

“I’ll be encouraging my colleagues to hand them out at events and spread the word.

“I’m grateful to Rushcliffe Borough Council and in particular, Judith Brown and Councillor Rob Inglis for his help in getting the project off the ground.

“The support and expertise of PC Rob English has also been essential by providing the brilliant images used on the cards along with Instagram’s @nottingham_dan1.”

Nottinghamshire Police is focusing on the work carried out by officers in the community this week as part of neighbourhood policing week of action, which runs from 23-29 January 2023.

Inspector Rob Lawton, neighbourhood policing inspector for Rushcliffe, said: “This is a great piece of work by PC Clarke and I’d like to congratulate him and Sergeant Brett Price on how fantastic the cards look.

“Initiatives like this are an important part of neighbourhood policing as it is vital we engage with young people in the communities we serve.

“I’m sure the cards will be really popular with children and it would be great to see the idea rolled out across Nottinghamshire.”

Councillor Inglis, who is Rushcliffe Borough Council’s cabinet portfolio holder for environment and safety, said: “We’ve worked in partnership with police officers and PCSOs to develop these playing cards which offer a fun way for young people to learn about the different types of ways the police help local residents to stay safe and protected.

"By taking part in this activity, we also hope they will find the police approachable and break down any stereotypes they may have.

“It’s a unique approach that has already received very positive feedback amongst young people and we’re looking forward to rolling this out across Rushcliffe.”