PROJECT AIMS TO STOP CHILDREN GETTING INTO CRIME

Nottingham Evening Post

Monday 29th June 2009

A PROJECT aimed at making Nottingham's nine and ten-year-olds better citizens for the future was launched yesterday in Nottingham.

The programme aims to give children the knowledge, skills and experience to prevent them from becoming a victim or perpetrator of crime in the future.

Children from Bonnington Junior School, Bulwell, took part in the opening at the Galleries of Justice which included workshops and a mock trial.

The year five class took part in the Taking Care of Tyler programme, which follows the story of a boy who sets fire to a skip.

After being assigned roles the children took part in the mock arrest and trial of Tyler

Their teacher Sarah Wharton said: "I am really proud of them all. The actors were great and all the others who were watching were getting really involved."

Taryll Hannon, 10, from Bulwell, who played the part of Tyler, said: "I've had a great day. We've seen the police station, the cell and the court. I wouldn't want to be behind bars in real life though."

The National Centre for Citizenship and the Law (NCCL) has received funding from One Nottingham to finance the scheme until 2011.

The Galleries of Justice hopes to see every nine and ten-year-old from the city pass through their doors in that time.

Graham Allen, MP for Nottingham North, who was involved in the creation of the project, said: "We are trying to attack crime at its roots rather than when it has already happened.

"This is unique to Nottingham because the Galleries of Justice are such a fantastic facility."

The schools are also given materials so that additional learning can be delivered in the classroom.

Leah Robinson, 10, from Bulwell, said: "I've learnt never to do anything wrong because i don't want to have to be in court on my own without my mum."

The project, which is one of 16 set up by Nottingham's Early Intervention Programme, is available to all Nottingham City Primary Schools.

Bookings are now being taken for the September term. For more information contact Kelsey Smulders on 0115 952 0555 ext 221.