THE City of Johannesburg, in conjunction with the Johannesburg Metro Police Department and road safety technology company Syntell, has launched a public safety training centre for children.

The centre, which is based at Fontainebleau in Randburg, was officially launched by executive mayor Amos Masondo yesterday.

It will consist of qualified educators with five to 25 years experience in community programmes.

Mini-versions of basic road markings have been installed to help children become familiar with the real world in a manner that is fairly informal and playful.

Masondo said: "If we are to build united, non-racial, integrated and safer communities, we need to lift the bar and take this initiative further."

The children, led by metro police, South African Police Service members and members of community, impressed the crowd by demonstrating how the centre will be used.

Metro police spokesperson Wayne Minnaar said the centre was also aimed at educating kids on how to identify problems of child abuse.

"We want the children to know where to report crimes and to train them on road safety," Minnaar said.

The centre will give assistance to children from grade 0 to 7 on how to cross the streets safely and where to access safe playing environments.

The children were exited and could not wait to ride their bicycles.

"I cannot wait to drive around and show my mother that I am smart," said one of the kids who participated.

The training centre will also teach Grade 8 to 12 pupils about drug abuse, human trafficking and crime prevention measures, among others.