“Times have changed since I grew up, and some of the opportunities we had have drastically changed. By working closely with them and giving them these opportunities, even if I manage to bring one back on track, is a huge achievement”.

Working with young people is the reason PC Damian Goddard- Lane, a Police Constable from the West Area of Hillingdon, received a BCU Commander’s commendation recently.

He achieved the award for his dedication to the ‘Safer Schools’ role and leading a large number of projects resulting in steering young people away from a life of crime.

The ‘Safer Schools Officer’ role involves looking after five different schools, including a pupil referral unit, and has given the officer a chance to give something back to the young people of Hillingdon.

Goddard-Lane said: “I wanted the opportunity to pay back to society and help divert the next generation from a life of crime and so ‘Safer Schools’ was the perfect place to do this.

"There is such a stigma attached to the police with young Londoners nowadays and I wanted to be able to show them that we are only human, many of us parents and we are here to help and support them, but also to reinforce that there is a line you cannot overstep.

“I wasn’t expecting the award at all, and was unaware I had been nominated for it, so I was very humbled to see recognition for the hard work, especially as I hadn’t done any of it for the recognition, I was simply doing my job.”

Some of the projects PC Goddard-Lane has spearheaded have included ‘Prison Me No Way’, which was rolled out to all schools in the Hillingdon Borough.

Using a converted Luton van, it gave students the chance to experience a mock prison cell, and the opportunity to ask questions to a reformed offender about the realities of prison life.

The scheme received positive feedback from pupils and staff alike.

With his determination to help as many young lives as possible, PC Goddard-Lane often goes above and beyond, to the extent of personally contacting one of football’s biggest teams.

He said: “On one occasion I remember a child who was brought to my attention during a criminal investigation. Speaking to them I discovered that they had a real passion for football, one that they deeply desired to share with their family.

"So I reached out to Manchester United, who very generously provided tickets for him and family members to attend a game. When I handed over the tickets, their reaction was something that I will keep with me forever!”

But isn’t just material things that PC Goddard-Lane believes can divert youths away from crime.

He added: “Life experiences and established projects help to open up their eyes and take away some of the glamorisation of criminality that is often portrayed in the various forms of media.

"I have invited the Metropolitan Police operation Makepeace Project to schools, which is where experienced officers and colleagues give an insight into firearms and gangs.”

Initially intending to become a forensic scientist, PC Goddard-Lane joined the Metropolitan Police in 2002.

As well as a love of film, PC Goddard-Lane enjoys spending time with his wife and two children.

His family were very cautious about safety when he first joined but they are extremely proud of the job that he does and the initiatives he has set up.

One of his favourite projects is the West Area Boxing Academy, which was a collaboration between PC Goddard-Lane and another officer, PC Smith.

They have secured their level one English Boxing Coaching badge and, with funding, have purchased equipment which they use to provide sessions for school pupils.

COVID-19 was no match for the scheme, which has moved online during the pandemic.

He added: “Having worked closely with the pupil referral unit for a number of years I realised that they needed something beyond PowerPoint presentations and assemblies to keep their attention and give them something to do as many were complaining about the lack of opportunities outside the school environment.

“Speaking with someone who wouldn’t have been able to make eye contact with police two months before, seeing a student turn up to a boxing class again and again with growing passion for the sport and the discipline, seeing a youth turn their life around – that’s job satisfaction.”