Rotherham cops support National Autistic Society

Latest news in Yorkshire: September 01, 2017 01:13:56 PM

Police staff and officers in Rotherham have been showing their support for the National Autistic Society (NAS).

Today (Thursday 31 August), officers and staff met with members of NAS as they continue to support their work to raise awareness of autism in Rotherham.

As part of the visit, officers learnt about the Autism Alert Card, carried by members of the community who have been diagnosed with autism.

The card, which is designed for adults, aims to help those who have autism in situations where communication may be difficult. The pack also includes key facts about autism and a small card containing emergency contacts.

In 2014, the local policing team embarked on a project to ensure that all staff and officers were given an awareness of autism so that they could understand what it would be like for them to come in to contact with police.

Chief Superintendent Rob Odell, district commander for Rotherham, said: “Officers in Rotherham have been given a vast amount of knowledge and information about autism, thanks to the National Autistic Society.

“The aim of this is that if someone with autism does come in to contact with the police, our officers understand and know the best way to communicate with that person.

“The red Autism Alert Card can also help officers to contact members of their family, should we need to, and similarly, helps them to contact us, if ever need to.”

To find out more about the Autism Alert Card, please visit autism.org.uk

Pictured: Chief Superintendent Rob Odell with members of the National Autistic Society

Yorkshire Photography