ESRC Festival – Crime prevention for Cub Scouts and the WY Police
Mon, 14 Nov 2016 12:46:00 GMT
The ESRC Festival of Social Science event was organised by the University’s Dr Leanne Monchuk and WYP’s Chris Joyce
A UNIVERSITY of Huddersfield criminologist has teamed up with West Yorkshire Police and local Cub packs to help teach the youngsters to ‘be prepared’ and help prevent crime as part of a festival to celebrate social science research.
Organised by Dr Leanne Monchuk of the University’s Applied Criminology Centre and West Yorkshire Police’s Force Crime Prevention Officer Chris Joyce, the event ran as part of the Economic and Social Research Council’s Festival of Social Science. The Festival is a week-long event that celebrates some of the country’s leading social science research, giving an exciting opportunity to showcase the valuable work of the UK’s social scientists and demonstrate how their work has an impact on all our lives.
“I’m delighted that this event has been selected by the ESRC to feature in this year’s Festival of Social Science,” said Dr Monchuk. “Crime prevention is one of the main areas of research interest here at the University and this event aims to showcase some of the work that we’ve undertaken in this field.”
“It’s been fantastic to work in collaboration with West Yorkshire Police and West Yorkshire Scouts to develop a programme of activity that’s fun, interactive and helps to educate and empower young people about the importance of implementing basic crime prevention measures,” she added.
Chris Joyce, Force Crime Prevention Officer for West Yorkshire Police said: “Crime prevention is extremely important and at the forefront of our efforts as a Force. This has been an exciting piece of collaborative workwhich has seen West Yorkshire Police, the University of Huddersfield and West Yorkshire Scouts working together to shape an event that was both fun and educational for all those involved. I’m sure the cubs will pass on their knowledge to other people – not only those in their age group – but their families too, and I very much look forward to developing our partnership further in the future”
In preparation for the event, the Cubs completed jigsaws featuring an insecure house, designed by illustrator Claire Spake, to identify what could be done to improve its security. They then designed crime prevention posters, aimed at grown-ups, to remind them of the importance of securing their home.
The first one hundred Cubs who successfully completed the crime-busting activities were awarded with a Crime Prevention Badge, designed especially for the event, when they were guests of honour at West Yorkshire Police’s Carr Gate complex.
On the day each cub was presented with a cupcake made by Oliver James Sugarcraft Creations which included the winning crime prevention logo.
Sam Wakefield, Deputy County Youth Commissioner, based in Huddersfield said: “This partnership is a great example of the Scout Associations Community Initiative ‘A Million Hands’ in action, raising awareness of crime prevention with our young people through activities that are fun and interactive so that they can make a real difference in their community and educate others in the importance of crime prevention. The cubs had a fantastic time with all the different activities.”
Dr Monchuk concluded: “Thank you to everyone who came along and made the day such a success. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Secured by Design who kindly sponsored the lunch for all of the 100 Cubs."
