And now he’s using that experience again with the release of a new book which helps youngsters be aware and keep safe.
Martin, from Dumfries, has written an informative picture book, ‘Community Cop Colin: Keeping Safe’, aimed at ages 4-8.
It features Libby, who is shopping with her mum in the town centre one day when they meet Mrs Cook and her son Connor. Connor and Libby immediately start running around, letting go of their mums’ hands and getting lost in the crowd. Both are very upset and worried, but Libby suddenly remembers what the police officer said when he visited her school and remembers the word ‘uniform’. This is the word to help identify who a person is and if they are safe. Using this as their starting point, the two children must find a safe stranger to help them find their way back to their worried mums.
Martin hopes his story will provide good advice to young children and resonate with parents too.
He said: “I wrote it almost 20 years ago when I was a community police officer. I quickly picked up that advising groups of young children that a stranger is a person you don’t know and you should not speak to them was not best practice.
“This inspired me to do talks differently with more interaction and emphasise the importance of uniform. I hope this book explains the difference to young readers.”
Community Cop Colin will be available from Monday, published by Matador (Troubador Publishing).
