Six thousand balloons were given out at Shomrim’s annual open day on Clapton Common.

Hackney Gazette: A Hatzola volunteer and children at the Shomrim open day on Clapton Common. Picture: @ShomrimA Hatzola volunteer and children at the Shomrim open day on Clapton Common. Picture: @Shomrim (Image: Archant)

The neighbourhood watch volunteer group takes over the green space once a year to introduce its neighbours to the work it does – and to build links with the emergency services.

Wednesday’s event attracted some 9,000 people and saw kids engrossed in an educational road accident simulation as well as learning first aid skills from London Ambulance Service and volunteer ambulance group Hatzola.

Hackney Gazette: Kids learn first aid at the annual Shomrim open day on Clapton Common. Picture: @ShomrimKids learn first aid at the annual Shomrim open day on Clapton Common. Picture: @Shomrim (Image: Archant)

Shomrim president Rabbi Herschel Gluck told the Gazette: “Kids were totally engaged in the demonstration by the London Fire Brigade.

“The road accident stimulation was absolutely surreal, especially because of children’s enthusiasm to learn more about how to deal with tough situations.”

The police’s dog unit and Met task force pitched up too, as did firearms officers and even police horses Regal Blue and Lorcan.

Rabbi Gluck said the demos were “extremely interesting and important since people need to be aware of what to do after an accident”.

He added he was happy to see Cllr Soraya Adejare, the speaker of Hackney, enjoying herself.

Last year, Shomrim helped the police arrest 136 people and helped track down 31 vulnerable missing people.