Home Office Competition Winners

School children say no to vandalism

Year Seven pupils from Ruislip High School in Hillingdon have been awarded a prize in a Home Office competition looking for fresh ideas on how to get messages out to young people about the impact and consequences of vandalism.

Students across the country were given the challenge of producing publicity material aimed at discouraging vandalism in their area. Pupils were invited to be as creative as possible, with no restrictions on the format of their publicity campaign. They were given some advice on considerations for creating a good campaign - why people vandalise property, the risks and consequences for them and how people can be deterred from doing it.

Year Seven's entry was one of nine entries to be given a merit award for their poster, leaflet and story. The judges said these encouraged children to take pride in their neighbourhood and offered positive ways for children to deal with negative peer pressure.

Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said:

"Vandalism is a serious issue which blights many communities. We are working hard with police, police community support officers and other local partners to tackle the problems and educate people about the impact and consequences of criminal damage. This competition provided the opportunity for young people to discuss its causes and consequences. We wanted to hear their ideas on the best ways to combat vandalism.

"The students have come up with imaginative publicity campaigns aimed at reducing vandalism in the local community. We had over 250 entries from all across the country. The standard of competition was very high and the judges had a tough time picking the winning entries. Year Seven pupils from Ruislip High School did an extremely good job with their entry."

The competition targeted citizenship students aged 7-14 years with the aim of encouraging them to understand the impact and consequences of damaging property.