Bedfordshire Police is inviting young people aged between 11 and 18 to put their creative skills to the test with a performing arts competition designed to highlight the dangers and consequences of committing street robberies.
The ‘Stay Safe’ competition requires entrants to create a three minute performance video in which they sing, dance or act and is being supported by the charity Crimestoppers, which has recently launched www.fearless.org a website designed to allow young people to give information about crime 100% anonymously as a safe alternative to the Police.
Finalists will see their videos posted on Bedfordshire Police’s website where the public will be invited to vote for their favourite in each of the three categories. Winners will receive a cash prize, which will be presented at a ‘showcase’ at the force’s headquarters in December.
The competition is part of the force’s drive to fight crime and protect the public while making offenders feel less assured. Street robberies are often committed by young people on young people and some may not even realise their actions constitute an offence. It is this misguided view youngsters are being encouraged to explore and highlight in their video.
Richard Denton is the force’s Children and Young People Development Officer & Schools Co-ordinator, and says some youngsters are naive and do not realise the significance of their actions. He said:
“ Reducing robbery is a priority for the force but many people don’t realise what constitutes an offence. Robbery is when you use or threaten to use force to steal. It’s more serious than theft and you can be guilty of robbery even if you are just part of a group that robbed someone and carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Bedfordshire Police hopes that portraying this message through song, dance or drama will bring home the reality of crime and make young people think twice about their actions. We are delighted to be linking up with the Crimestoppers youth brand ‘Fearless’ website as giving information about robbery and solving robbery is as important as preventing it.
We really hope schools and clubs will see this competition as a fun and inspiring way to teach young people about consequences around this often violent and intimidating offence while harnessing their creative talents.”
Entries must be received no later than 26 October 2012. The winner from each category will receive £100 worth of high street vouchers. For more details about the competition go to http://www.bedfordshire.police.uk/tackling_crime/stay_safe_competition.aspx
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