Avon & Somerset police build community links at Snowdon Village

Pic Principal Alex Davies with the bag of footballs

Snowdon Village Academy welcomed Chief Inspector Vicks Hayward-Melen and Inspector Thomas Tooth from Avon & Somerset Constabulary for a festive and engaging visit aimed at strengthening ties with students.

This marks Chief Inspector Hayward-Melen’s second visit to the academy, reinforcing what school leaders hope will grow into a long-term partnership.

During their visit, the officers brought mince pies and chocolates for students, adding a touch of holiday cheer to the day’s activities.

The visit was action-packed, starting with a friendly game of football in the playground. Chief Inspector Hayward-Melen took up the role of goalkeeper, while Inspector Tooth joined in a fiercely contested race against several students. One of our students narrowly clinched victory, much to everyone’s delight.

Inspector Thomas Tooth also spent time with our Snowdon Brothers group, participating in an in-depth Q&A session.

Students had the opportunity to ask thought-provoking questions about the police force, gaining valuable insights into their roles and responsibilities.

Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Hayward-Melen joined the Snowdon Sisters group at Café Conscious, where they made bracelets together and engaged in meaningful discussions about critical issues such as sexism and misogyny.

Chief Inspector Hayward-Melen returned the following day with a generous gift for students – a bag full of footballs that were met with great excitement and appreciation.

A spokesperson for Snowdon Village Academy said: “The visit from Chief Inspector Vicks Hayward-Melen and Inspector Thomas Tooth have been a fantastic opportunity for our students to engage with positive role models and build trust with the police.

“Their willingness to participate in activities, answer questions, and discuss important topics has left a lasting impression on our school community.

“We look forward to continuing this partnership and creating more opportunities for collaboration in the future.”