Summerhill Visitors Park Community / Youth Engagement

Tuesday 28th April 2026 PC 2104 Geoff Coggin from Hartlepool neighbourhood police team  attended Summerhill Visitors Park Manor House ward Hartlepool.

The visit was a joint initiative with Summerhill, Fire Brigade and Police. 

Year 5 pupils from Rift House primary school attended and educational inputs by Fire Brigade and Police were delivered and then time to show the children the police and fire brigade kit and equipment.

We know that there have been issues with fires being started at Summerhill and this has negatively affected so many members of our community, young and old and even causing the popular play area to close.

We stayed with the pupils from Rift house and before the end of the event we walked around the park and planted seedlings around Summerhill with the children to educate, understand and appreciate nature within the park and the value of regenerating something that had been mindlessly destroyed and promoting community champions.

This initiative has been discussed, and it was agreed that we will deliver these events on a regular school term basis, introducing other schools to attend.

Below is the thank you from Rift House primary school teacher Beth 

I wanted to take a moment to share some feedback on the recent project delivered in partnership with Cleveland Fire Brigade and the Cleveland Police, focused on raising awareness about preventing fires in Summerhill Park.

The experience was fantastic for the children. Seeing the remains of the fire firsthand had a powerful impact, particularly in helping them understand the extent of the damage caused to both the park and the local wildlife. It brought the issue to life in a way that classroom learning alone could not achieve.

The children thoroughly enjoyed speaking with the police officers and firefighters, as well as learning about the equipment they use daily to tackle fires. It was especially eye-opening for them to see how teams are able to deliver water over long distances, particularly in areas where fire engines cannot easily access, such as parts of the park away from the main car park.

I strongly believe that more children should have the opportunity to take part in this kind of initiative. It provides a valuable, real-world perspective on the consequences of fire-setting and helps foster a greater sense of responsibility towards the environment. The children clearly gained a great deal from the experience, and it has left a lasting impression on them.