Police Short Film – 'The Unseen Child'
A short film on vulnerability, empathy and child-centred policing
The Unseen Child is a powerful, emotionally-driven short film created for Norfolk Constabulary as part of an internal training initiative to improve child-centred policing. I was brought on to take an existing script and lead the production from concept to delivery — building out the storyboard, casting, assembling crew, directing the shoot, and handling the edit. The result is a visually compelling and thought-provoking 3-minute film designed to spark reflection and change within the force.
The Purpose
The core aim of The Unseen Child was to help officers better understand and apply best practices in safeguarding — using the power of narrative to shift perspective. The film highlights how vulnerability can be missed in everyday policing, and encourages officers to think deeply about the risks facing children, the importance of informed referrals, and the need to consistently document the Voice of the Child. It also reinforces the use of the ARTHUR mnemonic in assessing and recording risk. Through a cinematic, story-led approach, the film makes these messages accessible, memorable, and impactful.
The Impact
Since launch, the reaction to The Unseen Child has been overwhelmingly positive. It has been rolled out across multiple training sessions and has already begun to influence the way officers think and act on the ground. Officers have described the film as:
“I can say from firsthand what an awesome campaign this is. Also to teach kids not to be afraid of the police. I know I won’t be the only officer who has memories like mine so it’ll be interesting to see what kind of feedback you get.”
“I just watched “The Unseen Child” and wanted to say how impactive I found it. We are flooded with training and with so much to remember, it’s easy for inputs to all get a bit samey. This short film really packed a punch and hopefully, officers will be as moved by it as I have been.”
The emotional impact of the film has been a key driver in its success — sparking meaningful conversations, greater awareness, and improved understanding across the force.
