It is a popular annual event that helps children to stay safe within the community, online and at home.

East Anglian Daily Times: Blind spots are shown on a Heavy Goods Vehicle at the Crucial Crew event in Lowestoft. Pictures; Mick HowesBlind spots are shown on a Heavy Goods Vehicle at the Crucial Crew event in Lowestoft. Pictures; Mick Howes (Image: Archant)

And over the past two weeks about 1,200 schoolchildren have been learning valuable skills in how to keep safe in real-life situations.

Pupils from 34 schools in Lowestoft and Waveney have been enjoying the 'Crucial Crew' experience.

East Anglian Daily Times: Road safety is demonstrated at the Crucial Crew event in Lowestoft. Pictures; Mick HowesRoad safety is demonstrated at the Crucial Crew event in Lowestoft. Pictures; Mick Howes (Image: Archant)

The national safety initiative is aimed at Year 6 students as it successfully held once more in Lowestoft between November 11 and 22.

With the multi-agency project having now been run in Waveney for the past 16 years, organisers said around 20,000 children have now taken part in the workshops over the years.

East Anglian Daily Times: Water safety at the Crucial Crew event in Lowestoft. Pictures; Mick HowesWater safety at the Crucial Crew event in Lowestoft. Pictures; Mick Howes (Image: Archant)

The event, held at Lowestoft Community Church, enables children to experience real-life situations through talks and different scenarios.

Youngsters, aged 10 or 11, have learnt how to tackle the personal dangers they face and raise their awareness as eight different scenarios are played out.

East Anglian Daily Times: St John Ambulance demonstrate at the Crucial Crew event in Lowestoft. Pictures; Mick HowesSt John Ambulance demonstrate at the Crucial Crew event in Lowestoft. Pictures; Mick Howes (Image: Archant)

The pupils attended a two hour session during which time they were exposed to the eight potential hazards - with advice given to help them react to certain hazardous situations.

Among the emergency scenarios featuring were bullying through online use, fire safety, trains and railway safety, road safety, beach and water safety, mobile phone safety and truck safety with a lorry and trailer.

East Anglian Daily Times: Network Rail safety is demonstrated at the Crucial Crew event in Lowestoft. Pictures; Mick HowesNetwork Rail safety is demonstrated at the Crucial Crew event in Lowestoft. Pictures; Mick Howes (Image: Archant)

One of the popular scenarios proved to be the fire pod, where youngsters learned that with fires you need to be really careful as many things could be a potential danger.

With the event organised by the Rotary clubs of Lowestoft, the scenarios were run by Lowestoft police, St John Ambulance, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, the Lowestoft Volunteer Lifeguard Corps, Suffolk County Council Road Safety, Network Rail, DFDS, Peter Colby Transport and Inspire Suffolk.

East Anglian Daily Times: Fire safety at the Crucial Crew event in Lowestoft. Pictures; Mick HowesFire safety at the Crucial Crew event in Lowestoft. Pictures; Mick Howes (Image: Archant)

Event co-organiser, long term champion of Crucial Crew and a member of the Rotary Club of Lowestoft, Brian Hunter, said: "The quality of the event is down to the professionalism of the eight scenario presenters involved.

"Their participation is greatly appreciated.

East Anglian Daily Times: Fire safety at the Crucial Crew event in Lowestoft. Pictures; Mick HowesFire safety at the Crucial Crew event in Lowestoft. Pictures; Mick Howes (Image: Archant)

"Crucial Crew is beneficial to young people across the community, and if the experience helps prepare people to cope in life threatening situations then that makes this all very worthwhile.

"Our thanks go to those supporting the event, as well as the volunteers from the Lowestoft Rotary Clubs and Halesworth Lions."

East Anglian Daily Times: Leaders, Rotarians and helpers at the Crucial Crew event in Lowestoft. Pictures; Mick HowesLeaders, Rotarians and helpers at the Crucial Crew event in Lowestoft. Pictures; Mick Howes (Image: Archant)