Ref: PR2175
Date: 26/03/09

Pupils throughout the Wakefield district will attend a number of fun and interactive lessons in avoiding crime including arson, drugs and road safety.

By learning a host of valuable lessons from the Wakefield Together Safer Schools Partnership, the pupils will be able to understand the affects of crime and anti-social behaviour.

Examples of the education package to be delivered to the schools include:

Road Safety - These sessions will help students consider risks in their own lives whilst traveling in vehicles and provide motivation to make positive changes

Youth Crime - Raising the awareness of the affect and consequences of issues relating to youth crime from the perspectives of the perpetrator and victim, the sessions will encourage dialogue and debate with students and school staff around the issues of youth crime.

Environmental Crime - The affect and consequences of issues regarding the quality of life and safety of communities with regard to environmental issues will be discussed at these sessions. The cost of environmental crime including litter, graffiti, fly tipping, arson and vandalism will be debated and there will be overviews of how environmental crime relates to and links with what is known as Anti Social Behaviour.

Deliberate and Anti-Social Fires - These sessions will explore the consequences of deliberate and anti social fires, including legal action that can be taken and explains how arson impacts on local communities. It also looks at peer pressure and how to deal with it and considers the reasons why people commit arson

Alcohol and Drugs - Discussions and practical examples will be used to raise the awareness of the affects of drugs and alcohol and explores the impact alcohol has on the brain and body functions. The session will provide an overview of the Law with regard to alcohol

Police Exhibition - Students will have the opportunity to learn about what the Police do on a day to day basis as part of the local Neighbourhood Policing Team as well as other roles they cover, namely public order

Wakefield Council's Cabinet Member for Cohesion and Community Safety, Councillor Olivia Rowley, said: "Education is one of the most successful means we have to help prevent and reduce crime, additionally by intervening early we can identify young people at risk and take swift action to address issues of crime and disorder.

"By using a collaborative approach under the Wakefield Together partnership, we are able to work towards a number of common aims such as providing a safe and secure school community which enhances the learning environment as well as reducing the prevalence of crime and anti social behaviour amongst young people. Additionally, the people are empowered to inform other members of their family, thus benefiting more people in the community'.

Ends