Youngsters get over the ASB message » Housing » 24dash.com

Four lucky youngsters from Lancashire won MP3 players and a VIP tour of their local Police Station after winning a competition run by NEW PROGRESS HOUSING ASSOCIATION.

Cameron Cross, Liza Brooks, Sarah Neill and Lauren Astley, all year 11 pupils at Wellfield High School, Leyland, Lancashire, secured first prize in a competition to design a poster to warn people about the consequences of behaving anti-socially.

They were presented with their prizes at a special ceremony attended by Chief Inspector Deborah Howard at the town's Police Station.

Over the past year, pupils at the school have been learning about criminal damage and anti-social behaviour as part of their Citizenship studies at a special series of workshops run by the Housing Association.

The workshops have been designed by the Housing Association's Tenancy Enforcement Team in partnership with teachers to help students understand the challenges facing them once they leave home. They cover topics such as criminal damage, illegal us e of property, youth nuisance, dealing with anti-social behaviour, and living responsibly in the community.

The poster competition marked the end of the course and the winning entry will now be framed and displayed in the reception of Leyland's Police HQ.

Said Cathy Jones, Estate Manager at New Progress Housing Association, who helped deliver the workshops:

'What a great ending for all involved in what has been a really positive community project. This is the second local school we have worked with on the issue of Anti-social behaviour and both times we have been impressed by the pupils' enthusiasm and their increased understanding of community responsibility.'

'The winning four really pulled the stops out on the entry and it's been great to see their hard work recognised. Our thanks to Leyland Police as well for their support of the project.'

Chief Inspector Debbie Howard commented," This was a great competition that obviously demonstrated to the pupils the issues behind criminal damage and anti-social behaviour that can really affect the quality of life for the people it affects."

The course has proved so popular that it has been held up as a national example of best practice and has sparked a number of similar initiatives at schools across the country.