FOREST Council Street Wardens will be working with local children and young people in the coming weeks and months to have “sensitive discussions” about drug use through a new police-funded awareness initiative.

The wardens’ team will be visiting primary schools and working with young people and community groups to talk about issues surrounding drugs and their safety, as part of an initiative from the Forest Community Safety Partnership (FCSP).

The partnership, which includes Forest of Dean District Council, Gloucestershire Police and Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, has been granted funding by the Gloucestershire Police and Crime Commissioner to focus on the issue of drug use.

The awareness programme will see council street wardens visiting schools and groups and delivering a presentation with both children and adults on “making healthy choices”, while having discussions with young people about drug awareness and safety.

Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Paul Hiett, said: “It’s extremely important to us that young people in the area know the dangers and implications of drug use and being able to get out and visit them in schools and youth groups enables the team to interact with and speak to young people directly.

“The Street Warden Team here at the Council does a fantastic job of working with people in the community to keep people safe and reduce the fear of crime across the district and I know that pupils at the schools involved will benefit greatly from this initiative.

“I would like to personally thank all of the officers involved in making this project happen and look forward to more events like this in future.”

The FCSP’s aim is to “enhance the quality of life” for residents by working with the community to reduce crime, anti-social behaviour and “the fear of crime” in the Forest of Dean.

The wardens’ team will initially be working with Offasmead and Bream Primary Schools, as well as local youth clubs and scout groups, on the drug awareness initiative.

Schools or groups who are interested in getting involved should email the team [email protected].