Pupils’ posters aim to cut crime (From Swindon Advertiser)
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Pupils’ posters aim to cut crime
9:30am Saturday 14th July 2012 in News By Scott D'Arcy
St Luke’s School pupil Liam Matthews has designed a poster about car crime which will be used by the police
YOUNGSTERS at a special school have produced head-turning anti-crime posters as part of a police initiative to prevent vehicle crime.
Pupils aged 11 to 16 at St Luke’s School, in Cricklade Road, took part in the project to produce crime prevention posters aimed at youths who are thought to be behind a recent rise in car break-ins.
Of the 10 produced, one designed by 12-year-old Liam Matthews, which carried the message “car vandalism can turn your life upside down”, was chosen to be put up around the area in community centres and noticeboards.
PC Frank Key, the community beat manager for Upper Stratton, said he was pleased with the results.
He said: “We have a small rise in vehicle crime levels across the sector and it is something we are focusing on from different angles.
“I approached St Luke’s to see if I could engage the pupils into making posters with positive crime prevention messages, including keeping your vehicle locked and everything out of sight.
“I was really impressed by the posters they produced and it is good to have youngsters producing it for other youngsters who are committing or could potentially commit vehicle crime.
“It was encouraging to see the effort they made.
The winner was really impactive – it featured a smashed up car and the words ‘car vandalism will turn your life upside down’, which were upside down so people would have to turn their head to look at it.
“Vehicle owners are again reminded to ensure unattended vehicles are kept secure at all times, ideally with no items left inside or at least out of view otherwise they present themselves as an easy target for thieves.”
Susan Morse, of the school’s behaviour team, said the pupils had been excited to be part of the project.
She said: “They were really quite enthusiastic about it and thought about what they were doing – Liam was chuffed to win.
“It’s all about working together and having positive engagement with the police.”
Anyone with any information about vehicle crime should call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
