Pupils highlight the effects of criminal damage
1 April 2008
Pupils from Severn Vale School will be highlighting the distress caused by criminal damage during school assembly this Thursday (3rd April).
Members of the Youth Action Group from Severn Vale have written a short drama sketch to show the distress caused by damaging someone’s property and the effect afterwards, often long term, that it can have on the individual.
Gloucester Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership have been working with Severn Vale School in an attempt to reduce criminal damage to property. The sketch shows how young people can easily be encouraged by peers to get involved in mindless activity through boredom or distraction without thinking of the consequences that their actions will have on the innocent victim. In the drama, an elderly lady who has her property damaged, suffers a heart attack as a result of the incident and subsequently dies. Unbeknown to her, one of the offenders taking part in the damage happened to be the victim’s grand-daughter.
The sketch will be performed to year 8 pupils at the school assembly on Thursday 3rd April. It is hoped that the drama will also be performed to surrounding primary schools in the area in the following months.
Deputy head teacher David Page said:
“The School Youth Action Group quickly appreciated the cause and effect of criminal damage and members were pleased to take the challenge to help address the issues and raise awareness that where there is a crime there will be a victim. Our young people are encouraged to take a pride in themselves, their school and to be responsible citizens in the area where they live. This was an excellent opportunity to work with the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership to take the message to young people from the Quedgeley and Hardwicke areas.”