LV=Streetwise Centre in Bournemouth is encouraging people to ‘be a safety hero’ for Child Safety Week.

The organisers behind the award-winning ‘village’ of scenarios are raising awareness about staying safe online and on the roads for the annual education campaign, which ends on June 30.

The streetwise team is also holding a car safety course at the Littledown centre in Bournemouth tomorrow for parents and youngsters.

Centre manager, Alison Shelton said: “It is so important that people are taught about keeping safe from a young age because the little things can really make a big difference.

“People should be taught to take responsibility for their own actions.

“I am a parent myself, so I know how difficult it can be to ensure a child’s safety.”

The interactive tours of the safety village, which includes a full-sized two-storey house, a high street, an electricity sub-station and a police station, enable children to practice what they are taught by the volunteer safety guides.

St Josephs School in Poole visited on the first day of the safety campaign week with 30 children from the age of eight to 10.

Teaching assistant, Katherine Fisher said: “The scenarios and guidance is all so engaging that the children come away having learned such a lot.”

One of the most popular scenarios is the simulated internet chat room and this teaches children and parents about cyber-bullying, grooming and blocking unwanted or inappropriate material.

Deputy manager Andy Watkins said: “Many parents are actually frightened by computers, so playing this game at home can educate the whole family.” The centre is currently building a new nightclub scenario to provide alcohol and drugs awareness training in association with the Dorset Police Operation Protect.