Young challenged in crime fight

Young people across Staffordshire are being invited to join in a community crime-busting drive.

The High Sheriff of Staffordshire, Graham Stow, launched the crime reduction competition on Friday.

He visited the Safer Stafford Shop in Crabbery Street to unveil details of the High Sheriff's Challenge Competition. Group entrants of between two and six individuals, aged 11 to 18, are challenged to come up with an idea to reduce crime or improve safety to help build a stronger and safer community.

The winning scheme will collect the first prize of £300, with a second prize of £200 and third prize of £100.

Mr Stow said: "The competition will focus on projects involving young people themselves and the influence their activities have on other young people and the wider community.

"Each year High Sheriffs submit the best example they have found of young people working to create a safer community to a national competition, the Crimebeat Shrievalty Awards.

"The winner of the local challenge competition will represent the county in this national competition, with the opportunity of winning a further £1,000.

"For more than 1,000 years High Sheriffs in England and Wales have had a responsibility for upholding law and order. Today, High Sheriffs work closely with police, probation, local authorities, education and other agencies.

"As patron of Partners Assuring a Safer Staffordshire (PASS), it provides me with an opportunity to work with partner organisations, some of which founded the charity, to encourage community engagement and reduce crime."

Inspector Rob Pilling, commander of Stafford Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said: "This is an important challenge and a worthwhile cause."

Sharan Moore, assistant director of Staffordshire's youth offending service, said: "Often they find themselves being the victim of crime and they know what needs to be done in their community to improve their safety. This project challenge provides an incentive to do something to make a difference."

Further information and an application pack for the High Sheriff's Challenge Competition is available from the PASS office on 01785 232361.