Youngsters learn crucial truth about crime

Pupils learnt about the severe impact that committing crimes can have

Primary school pupils from across the borough learned about the severe impact that committing crimes can have on themselves and their communities at a Crucial Crew event organised by Child Safety Media Ltd.

The awareness event was hosted at the Rochdale AFC Crown Oil Arena where around 1,000 Year 6 pupils took part in the three-week project to learn from various organisations about staying safe.

Local organisations such as Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH), St John Ambulance, Greater Manchester Police, Travelsafe, R.N.L.I., British Transport Police and Rochdale Safeguarding Board were keen to let pupils see the impact anti-social and criminal behaviour can have and informing them how to keep themselves safe when out and about.  

While organisers stress that the vast majority of youngsters are model citizens, they are keen to reinforce the message that crime really doesn’t pay.

For example, the RBH workshop gave the 10 and 11-year-olds a fictional money pot to create a play area including tunnel slide, tyre roundabout, swings, see-saw, zip wire and football and basketball pitches.

They were then told the cost of tackling anti-social behaviour such as vandalism, graffiti and litter to see how this significantly reduces the amount of facilities that can be provided for the play area.

Other workshops highlighted the physical risks that some forms of anti-social behaviour - such as climbing fences in order to trespass - can present and the serious consequences of receiving a criminal record.

The young people in our borough are a source of great pride but it is important for everyone to understand how something that might seem like just a bit of fun can actually have very serious repercussions.