Teddy love fills police stations

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/northamptonshire/8132773.stm

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Cuddly toys will be kept at every police station in Northamptonshire to help children cope with stressful and traumatic situations.

Teddies with Love are hand-knitted by the Mothers' Union from the Peterborough Diocese.

The women have already knitted more than 1,000 teddies for child protection teams, family liaison officers and domestic abuse centres.

Now there are enough for every Northamptonshire police station.

'Friendly face'

Barbara Haynes from the Mothers' Union said: "The idea of Teddies with Love was formed when we saw a TV documentary about an ambulance service in the north of the country which gives teddies to children in times of stress.

"The teddies are knitted to help reassure children who may be experiencing trauma.

"In addition, knitting the teddies is a great way to get all our members involved, some of whom may not be able to get out much."

Sgt Sharan Wildman of Wellingborough Incident Resolution Team said: "It's the friendly face of the police, helping to reassure children and their families in times of need."