On Friday 28 June Gerald Jones, MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, welcomed pupils from Fochriw and Phillipstown Primary Schools’ Heddlu Bach (‘Mini Police’) scheme to Parliament on a school visit to the UK capital.

Launched by Gwent Police at schools across the Upper Rhymney Valley, the Heddlu Bach scheme gives schoolchildren aged between 9-11 an insight into policework and what it’s like to be a Gwent police officer, and pupils from Fochriw and Phillipstown on the scheme had the chance to visit New Scotland Yard and see some of London’s police horses in action, before meeting their local MP in Westminster.

Gerald met with the Heddlu Bach mini officers on the House of Commons terrace for afternoon tea, before they had an official guided tour of the Palace of Westminster.

Gerald said: “The Heddlu Bach scheme is a great opportunity for these young people to make a difference in our community, learn about what it’s like to be a police officer and educate their fellow pupils on a range of issues, such as anti-social behaviour.

“I’m delighted to welcome the Mini Police from Fochriw Primary and my old school, Phillipstown Primary, to Parliament on a busy and exciting visit to London – thank you to the staff from the schools and from Gwent Police’s Rhymney neighbourhood policing team for organising such a fun and informative trip to the capital for these young people.”