Videos of instructive concerts aimed at children and young people freely available

Helsinki Police Symphonic Band’s instructive videos for school-aged children and teenagers are freely available for all on YouTube.

Helsinki Police Symphonic Band has released two instructive videos, both slightly less than an hour in length, which can be used in educational situations at schools or watched at home with children. The freely available concert videos include plenty of catchy music and, in between songs, important information for children and young people. 

The “Tuu mun mukaan” instructive concert is aimed at primary school-aged children. The themes discussed on the video include bullying and the importance of not leaving anyone on their own.

“Tuu mun mukaan”, the song the concert is named after, was chosen as the children’s song of the year in 2020 and the message of the concert and song are the same: 

‘Hey, come with me and we’ll show you that no one has to be alone here. We can go look for a dragon’s den or play cops and robbers.” 

The “Tuu mun mukaan” video is part of the anti-bullying #samallapuolella campaign currently under way in the Helsinki metropolitan area.

Straightforward talk with teenagers

The “Pidä huolta!” instructive concert is aimed at lower secondary school-aged youth. The video contains material not suitable for children under 12. 

“You decide when, where, how, or whether not at all, you are ready for sex or anything related to it. In addition to making these decisions, you can always turn down sex. Always, no matter what!”
says senior detective constable Maija Aunio on the video. Aunio, who was elected Cop of the City last year, has been investigating sexual offences for a long time and has informed young people of matters related to the right of sexual self-determination for several years. Now she and two other experienced police officers want to address young people and their parents. The video also includes genuine stories from young people’s lives.

Detective inspector Marko Forss, who investigates youth crime at the Helsinki Police Department, is particularly concerned about the knives carried around by young people.

“Why do they carry them? The most common reason told to the police is that they are for personal protection. What then happens is that an individual foolish disagreement or argument ends with the use of a knife, and this leads to very serious consequences. I don’t consider it a very safe option. It’s always safer to leave the scene or call 112,” says Forss.

The Police Band wants to reach children and young people

The police receive many requests from all over Finland to come to schools and talk to children and young people about things that may trouble the audience, such as bullying, violence, drugs and alcohol, and the right to sexual self-determination. Unfortunately it is impossible to accept all requests and, especially during the coronavirus time, fewer live events have been arranged than before. 

The instructive videos of the Helsinki Police Symphonic Band aim to ensure that the important knowledge provided by the police is available to everyone. The topics are addressed with the help of images, factual examples, young people’s own stories, and music performed by the professional orchestra. 

“Before the coronavirus time, the Police Band reached 25,000 children and youths around Finland every year with instructive concerts. Of course a video can never replace a live encounter, but this helps the police reach the entire age category”, says Sami Ruusuvuori, the chief conductor of the Police Band. 

Make the best decision of your life – take care of yourself

Inspector Kaarle Lehmus worked as a narcotics officer for a long time. He has seen a great number of sad stories related to the use of drugs over the years. 

“All narcotics involve the risk that when you buy illegal stuff, you never know where it was made, who made it and what substances it was made of. They might have spiked it with who knows what. From potato starch to detergent or rat poison,” says Lehmus. 

Lehmus urges people to think carefully if someone tries to talk them into experimenting with illegal substances.

“Think. Make the best decision of your life. Don’t mess around, look after yourself. Look after your friend!”

The “Tuu mun mukaan” video for primary school-aged children in Finnish https://youtu.be/hkpbm-48yjU
video with Swedish subtitles https://youtu.be/N3-1N3aW-IU
video with English subtitles https://youtu.be/_9KUPnCWgm0

The “Pidä huolta!” video for lower secondary school-aged youth (N.B. not suitable for children under 12) 
in Finnish https://youtu.be/QQGYBVahJKc 
with Swedish subtitles https://youtu.be/MU73TWhXsLU 
with English subtitles https://youtu.be/OkmoJhwchi0