MEMBERS of a Redditch Brownie pack have achieved their road safety badges, with help from the police.

The 12 members of the 1st Webheath Brownies were visited by PC Paul Downes and Police Community Support Officer Emma Turberfield.

The Brownies enjoyed meeting the police and learning how to keep safe.

To complete their badge, the girls designed and made a cycle helmet using paper mache, decorated using reflective, fluorescent and white materials so that it can be seen at night or in bad weather.

Other activities included learning about what to do and wear when going out at night, making posters to show what they should do if they are lost, and learning the Green Cross Code.

Pc Downes said: “Emma and I were very happy to attend and help the Brownies get their badges.

“Road casualty rates increase every autumn with darker mornings and evenings and worsening weather conditions, so it is really important for children to learn how to keep safe on our roads.

“Each year in West Mercia around a dozen pedestrians are killed and 80 seriously injured on our roads, but children can take precautions such as making sure they are visible to motorists by wearing fluorescent materials during the day and reflective materials at night.

“It is also really vital to make sure they don't get distracted by listening to MP3 players, chatting to friends or sending a text while crossing the road.”