Police cadets and volunteers distribute shoppers’ donations to Islington families in crisis

Published: 10th June, 2011
by ANDREW JOHNSON

THE long arm of the law could be seen handing out food parcels this week as part of a charity drive to help families in crisis across Islington.

Police cadets and volunteers asked shoppers to donate tins of food which were then packaged up into parcels and delivered to families identified as “in crisis” by the officers involved in public protection, the Safer Schools Partnership, Youth Engagement Team Officers and Youth Offending Service.

They worked with volunteers from the Trussell Trust, a charity which provides emergency food to families in the UK, and House on the Rock Church in Tufnell Park.

Sergeant Andy Briers said that as well as helping those in trouble it provided an “excellent reparation project” for young offenders.

“On our first day a young boy whose father had lost his job and had his benefit cut was referred to us,” he added. “Desperate, he was looking at a life of crime in order to feed his family. 

“We visited the family and delivered a food voucher and were able to assess how we, the police, could help address any of his other needs.”