PUPILS across North Yorkshire got the chance to have a go at a range of different jobs as part of a North Yorkshire Takeover Week 2014.

North Yorkshire County Council has organised activities as part of Children’s Commissioner’s Takeover Week, a national event led by the Children’s Commissioner for England, which gives children and young people the chance to shadow jobs, get involved in decision-making and offer their opinions on key issues.

Among those taking part were Lincoln Sargeant, the director of public health for North Yorkshire, crime commissioner, Julia Mulligan, Pete Dwyer, the corporate director, for children’s services and Dave Jones, the chief constable of North Yorkshire Police.

Events are taking place all this week and yesterday youngsters got the chance to accompany the chief constable on visits to local police teams, as well as joining him attending various meetings and getting to know his team and learning about the responsibilities of his job.

Coun Tony Hall, the executive member for children’s services, who is also taking part, said the youngsters he met at County Hall, in Northallerton, got to experience first-hand the role played by a councillor.

He said: “The rest of the country celebrated Takeover Day back in November, but we in North Yorkshire decided to hold our events in school holiday time to make it easier for youngsters to take part.

“The week is about letting young people see how they can get their voice heard and the role they have to play in the way the council is run. The participation of young people, their voice and the influence they can have is something we take very seriously when it comes to decision making in this county.”

Among those taking part were youngsters Simone Colmer, Zoe Bushby and Tim Massie, who spent time learning about key roles and decision-making shadowing Mr Dwyer, and Coun Hall as well as spending time with the chief constable.