Youth

We work with the voluntary sector, schools, Berwick Youth Project, ESCAPE, Berwick Family Centre, Berwick Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Youth Offending Team, Police and other agencies to promote good citizenship and discourage young people from participating in anti-social behaviour.

Our key actions:

• Improved consultation with young people to establish their view, concerns and expectations;
• Development of a Youth Council/Forum;
• Explore opportunities for wider programme of diversionary activities (arising from consultation process);
• Media campaign to raise Community awareness of what actually constitutes youth disorder;
• Mediation through application of the Northumbria Police Problem-Solving Model;
• Continued CDRP support for youth work initiatives;
• Development of relationship with Northumberland Youth Offending Team;
• Consultation with Head Teachers;
• Mentor scheme in partnership with local businesses and schools for pupils identified by guidance staff.
• Closer working with both victims and offenders;
• Consider use of Curfew Orders where appropriate;
• Promote parental responsibility;
• Reduce on-street alcohol consumption by young people.
   

Northumberland Youth Offender Team (YOT)
The Northumberland YOT was established in June 2000 and is funded by a combination of the Police, Probation Service, NCC and Health Authority monies. The service works with approximately 1300 young people each year throughout Northumberland, mainly in connection with offences of theft, burglary, arson, criminal damage and violence. The YOT also works with 25 persistent young offenders, the 3% of young people whose activities account for 25% of youth crime. Although the YOT operates in the Borough, it is one of its quieter areas for YOT activity.

The YOT targets young people who have entered the criminal justice system at Final Warning Stage and seeks to involve them in diversionary activities. The YOT is also involved in the development of restorative justice where young offenders are encouraged to think about the consequences of their activities and make amends for their crimes.

TEACHERS & PUPILS

The theft of mobile phones (especially from school children) is an ongoing problem.   Each phone however has it's own serial number and therefore a way of stopping the use or sale of your phone once stolen.

To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on your phone: *#06#

A 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. Should your phone get stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code.

Provided that the service is available in the country where the Mobile was stolen; they will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it cannot use/sell it either.

P.S. : This is true for all handsets regardless of make.
 

CRIMESTOPPERS

What Crimestoppers are up to

In Schools
Introducing…..Diesel!! Taking the schools by storm is the newly formed acrobatic boy band Diesel who perform their anti drugs/healthy lifestyle presentation to hundreds of pupils in Harrow, and at the Congress Theatre in Eastbourne where nearly 2000 young people took in the Crimestoppers message! Also in schools is David Graham who continues his commitment to Crimestoppers with the "Natural High" performance. David has proved extremely popular all over the country with both teachers and pupils and will continue to tour next year!

Something Personal is a Hit!
This year Something Personal performance has been touring the Eastern region with great success! The theatre in education performance, sponsored by Barclays, is aimed at 14-15 year olds and aims to introduce young people to Crimestoppers whilst covering a range of citizenship issues. The students also gain benefits after the performance when they are given a chance to interact with the actors. Here they discuss issues surrounding the performance and have the opportunity to ask questions. Also accompanying this is a teacher's resource pack that provides materials for two lessons (one before and one after). Activities are based on National Curriculum Citizenship guidelines. The performance and resource pack has proved hugely successful with teachers as we have provided them with educational support to fit in with their PHSE lessons.

Educational Pack now under way!
Following the success of the Something Personal Resource pack in schools, Crimestoppers have identified a very real need for more educational support for teachers in order to maximise the chances of getting the their message across to young people. With this in mind Crimestoppers  are currently working on a major project to produce an educational resource pack to support all crime related aspects of the Citizenship Curriculum. The aim of this pack will be to provide teachers with lesson plans and discussion topics surrounding crime related issues and offer a Crimestoppers perspective. This will be piloted April 2003.  If you would like any more information about Crimestopper's youth projects, get in touch with them on youthprojects@crimestoppers-uk.org.

SNAP (Say No And Phone) is Crimestopper's Youth website which talks about drugs and their effect on youths and the community and about what to do if you witness a crime taking place or about to.  It gives the option of reporting crimes anonymously if you fear for your safety.  Competitions are also there for you to win prizes for yourself or your school.  Many pop bands such as Boyzone support SNAP.  (Tip: this site is pretty difficult to find your way around - just click on any of the fancy graphics that are clickable.)

National Crimebeat
National Crimebeat is the charity of the Shrievalty Association, The Association of High Sheriffs of England & Wales. The charity encourages young people to get involved with crime reduction activities and create safer communities. This is done through a network of local Crimebeat Schemes, which High Sheriffs have set up in their "bailiwicks" (Counties of Office).  For more information, visit their website, www.national-crimebeat.org.uk/ or ring Gavin Breeze or Ray Cunningham on 01670 652343, who run Northumberland's Crimebeat Scheme..

Youth Justice Board
The Youth Justice Board (YJB) for England and Wales will help rebuild communities and promote decent opportunities for all by preventing offending by children and young people.