SPREADING the safety message is the goal of a new children's book launched by Greater Manchester Police.

Casey's Crew, written by former Poynton teacher Caroline Booth, is filled with information targeted at children aged between seven to 12.

The book, in which the main character is an old leather football, details topics such as stranger danger, drugs, vandalism and bullying.

Casey's Crew is a development of the Crucial Crew safety initiative which teaches children how to deal with dangerous situations.

The writer said: "I have chosen football as the theme because it crosses cultural, class and gender barriers.

"While it may be felt this is biased towards boys, it is a fact that, of the 350 children who died in non-transport accidents in England and Wales in 1992, nearly two-thirds were male."

The book is being customised nationally and the GMP version will have a special section entitled "Right Up Your Street," developed by the force's own Schools Liaison Officers.

They will distribute 8,500 copies, free of charge, to every primary school in the Greater Manchester area.

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