 New Forest school children were visited by PC Karen Kingsnorth from Hampshire Constabulary and Community First New Forest’s PRIME Development Co-ordinator Stephanie Bell yesterday (Wednesday, January 28) as part of a new scheme to raise awareness of the effects of criminal damage on the community.
Year six pupils at Ringwood Junior School took part in the first lessons of the ‘it’ project.
The message “Don’t do it” is being taken into more than 40 schools across the New Forest, where pupils will be taught about the misery vandalism can cause others.
Sally-Ann Evans, Headteacher at Ringwood Junior School, commented:
“I am delighted that we were chosen as the school to launch this important community scheme. It provides yet another opportunity to work in collaboration with the police and continue our close working relationship with Karen.
 The pupils enjoyed the activities which were fun and informative. Discussions provided a forum for pupils to think about vandalism in their local surroundings and voice their feelings about its effect. Pupils were able to see how deliberate damage to property, especially to something that is precious to them, can be distressing, especially if it is irreplaceable.
These activities have been carefully designed to motivate pupils and help instil in them a sense of responsibility for their surroundings. I am confident that influencing the attitudes of young people will have a positive impact on the local community."
The children will also be entering a competition for the best designed poster which gets the anti-vandalism message across and encourages people to report criminal damage.
PC Karen Kingsnorth said: “We are not accusing the children of being involved in vandalism but encouraging them to respect property and have a greater awareness of what criminal damage is and its consequences.”
Stephanie Bell added “Graffiti and damage to property affects the whole community. The children quickly grasped the message, engaged thoroughly in the discussions and enjoyed the activities. It was a very positive and rewarding day.” |
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