Community bobbies PCs Charlie Banks, David Lockwood and PCSOs Aaron Riley and Simon Ragsdale called on Wakefield Wildcats’ mascot Daddy Cool to drum home their safety messages to pupils at the six primary schools across the two towns.

The VIP visit backed up talks previously held by PC Banks warning issues such as the danger of strangers, cyber bullying and staying safe within the community.

PCSO Riley said: “We handed out leaflets, created by PC Mick Amos, to children in years five and six to reinforce the messages that have already been given by PC Banks in the form of various bullet point awareness information.

“PC Banks has a fantastic ability to reach the children on their level and has a real gift at getting the important messages across to the children. This is evident when watching children’s reactions to him.

“All the children and staff were extremely welcoming and enjoyed having photographs taken with Daddy Cool and getting him to sign autographs.”

The leaflet also informed pupils about forthcoming rugby training sessions to back up the Tackling Crime project.

Players from the area’s three top rugby league clubs – Castleford Tigers, Featherstone Rovers and Wakefield Wildcats – will spend time with pupils to teach them the basic skills of the game before a tag rugby tournament later in the summer.