More than 800 teddy bears have joined Nottinghamshire Police after a month on display at Mansfield Library — each with a special mission to bring comfort to children.

The hand-crafted Brave Bears were made using the same pattern by a small army of knitters and crocheters across Nottinghamshire for the annual Inspire Charity Knitting Challenge.

They will be used to comfort children who come into contact with police officers in distressing circumstances.

The 887 bears were part of a Teddy Bear’s Picnic Exhibition at the library. They are produced to a pattern created by Nottingham-based textile designer Megan Crook and are decorated with a special Sherwood Forest acorn motif.

Inspire hosted a special event at the library to thank the crafters. Among those attending was Deputy Chief Constable Steve Cooper (pictured).

Sophie Barker, first contact manager at Nottighamshire Police, said: “For us a Brave Bear is a friend for a child in need.

“We deal with a lot of vulnerable children in our work in all sorts of different situations — anything from road traffic accidents to cases where children are the victims of crime.

“However lonely they may feel at that point, we will now have a little friend to give them.

“That’s really important because in that moment these bears may be the only friend they have when they are at their most vulnerable.

“So to all the crafters, and to all the organisers, a huge thank you.”