Cornwall tackles criminal damage
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Devon & Cornwall Constabulary have teamed up with primary school children to teach them about criminal damage.
Children at St Ives Junior School in Cornwall have been working with the police and an artist to steer young people away from causing criminal damage in St Ives. PC Vicky White, who is involved in the scheme, said the children had been exploring the theme of criminal damage.
"One form of criminal damage is graffiti," she said. "We know people see this as a form of expressing themselves, but this can also be understood as something that is permanent and without permission, and as something that has a negative impact on the community."
The children and police have been working with the artist to find ways they can put their own mark on St Ives temporarily and with the appropriate permission. They decided that a radio show would provide a good outlet to express themselves while leaving no lasting damage and will host a show on TagRadio, which airs this Sunday (9 March).