Herefordshire Community Safety and Drugs Partnership launches competition
Herefordshire Community Safety and Drugs Partnership is inviting young people from the county's youth groups to enter a competition to design an anti-vandalism poster.
The Partnership wants to encourage young people to think about the damage vandals cause and how this could affect them, their friends, family or people in their local communities.
Vandalism is another word used for criminal damage. Vandalism can happen to all types of property such as cars, buildings, items in the community such as play areas, phone boxes and bus shelters.
According to Home Office statistics, it is an increasing problem and two thirds of offenders are aged 21 and under.
If young people are caught causing vandalism, they can receive a criminal record, which could reduce their chances of being accepted onto a course or into university, discourage companies from employing them or make it difficult to travel to some countries, such as America. Offenders may also be fined or given an Anti Social Behaviour Order (ASBO).
Geoff Hughes, cir of Herefordshire Community Safety and Drugs Partnership, said: "Vandalism can have a negative impact on local communities. It can make an area feel uncared for, make people feel worried or unsafe and limit the availability or development of community facilities.
"This is just one of the ways we are working to reduce the problem in Herefordshire, and hope this competition will make young people to stop and consider the effects that their actions may have," he added.
The competition is open to all 13 to 18 year olds in Herefordshire who belong to a local youth club or group.
Posters must be A4 and include a picture and slogan that discourages other young people from vandalising property. They can be designed in any style, either on paper or using a computer. They can come either from individuals, from a small groups or from the club / group as a whole.
Entries will be judged by members of Herefordshire Community Safety and Drugs Partnership and the winner will be announced in January.
The winner's youth club / group will be awarded £300 to spend on equipment for the group and the winning design will also be featured on posters used around Herefordshire, on the internet and in the local press.
The closing date for entries is Monday, December 18 2007.
Entries should be sent to Sophie Young, Herefordshire Community Safety and Drugs Partnership, PO Box 4, Plough Lane, Hereford HR4 0XH or email syoung2@herefordshire.gov.uk. Please also use these contact details if you would like further information.
