Ref: PR2261
Date: 30/06/2009 

Pupils in Wakefield district will attend a number of 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.
  
  
• Staged Extrication Event
  Additionally, at Minsthorpe on July 6, following a special assembly given to the students by the arson task force, there will be a staged event which involves the police, fire brigade and the ambulance service attending a staged car accident and cutting individuals out of the damaged car. This will take place at 9.20am, a running commentary will accompany the staged event. 
  

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.

"The benefits of the Safer Schools Programme includes improved community cohesion, a stronger sense of citizenship among children, and an increased quality of life and opportunities for young people, their families and the wider community around the school.

"By working together with our partners we are able to help provide 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."

Ends