For the first project of its kind in the UK, researchers from the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) have collaborated with over 1,000 primary-aged children to explore their daily experiences with racism. The findings revealed a fractured relationship between young children and the police. The national launch of the project was held at May Park Primary, with Year 5 and Year 6 pupils, their teachers, and Dr. Verity Jones, the research lead, in attendance.

A powerful video reflecting on primary school children’s experiences of racism was presented during the event. In collaboration with Avon and Somerset Police, UWE Bristol and Bristol-based CC Animation Studio produced an animation addressing issues of institutional racism within the police force.

The learnings from this unique project, in collaboration with Avon and Somerset Police, will be used as part of UWE Bristol’s Professional Policing course from September 2025 to confront issues of racism within the police force when training the next generation of police constables. The materials will be used as part of a suite of ‘lived experience’ teaching and learning, providing context and perspective of children from underrepresented groups.

The outcomes of the research are already being trialled successfully within Avon and Somerset Police as part of its training.

Lead researcher, Dr Verity Jones, associate professor in education at UWE Bristol, comments: “Today, at May Park School, we launched the RESPECT project’s animation, which is a direct response to the children of Bristol who, as part of our research a couple of years ago, shared their feelings of disappointment, fear, and anxiety regarding their relationship with the police. We took that feedback and created an animation, now set to be used in police training across Avon and Somerset.”