Pupils learning value of beating vandalism

Apr 4 2008 By George Topp

PUPILS from secondary schools across Clydesdale area are reaping the benefits of their involvement in the local VALUES Initiative, a Strathclyde Police led scheme aimed at reducing vandalism and youth disorder in the area.

‘Vandalism Always Leaves Unwanted Environmental Scars’ (VALUES) is the key message behind the project.

The initiative contributes towards achieving the common aims of the recently launched anti-violence campaign, ‘breaking the circle of violence’, as well as the Safer South Lanarkshire scheme.

Diversional and interactive in its approach, the idea behind VALUES teaches local youths the value of looking after their surrounding area by taking pride in their community.

Following on from the earlier stages of the VALUES initiative which saw pupils from Carluke High, Lanark Grammar, Biggar High and Lesmahagow High participating in a poster design competition, the pupils have gone head to head in an anti-vandalism point scoring competition within their schools to further build on the message that vandalism and disorder will not be tolerated.

Over a six-month period, environmental officers from South Lanarkshire Council paid monthly visits to the schools, dropping in unannounced to award points for cleanliness and lack of vandalism within the school.

The determined efforts of all the pupils has paid off and each of the schools involved in the competition has been successful in getting a share of the £5000 total prize money.

Carluke High came out on top winning £2500, closely followed by Lanark Grammar which scooped £1500, and Biggar High and Lesmahagow High each winning £500.

With police officers also delivering talks on vandalism to local pupils, Constable John Tait of Community Safety at Lanark is confident that the VALUES initiative will make a difference to the area. He said: “Vandalism is not only an illegal and antisocial activity, it also creates a negative impression of an area. It can blight whole communities.

“The partnership approach pursued through VALUES can really help to clean up the surrounding environment, reduce youth disorder and fear of crime, and consequently free up police resources.

“We wanted to take a preventative approach by educating, gathering intelligence and sharing information and knowledge in a bid to make Clydesdale a safer, stronger and more attractive place to live.”

Superintendent Ronnie Buchanan, Clydesdale’s senior policeman, added: “ I would like to congratulate the winning schools.

“We are extremely grateful for the funding and support we have received from sponsors, as well as the efforts of the schools and the pupils.”

The project has gained support and funding from partners and businesses, including Argos, Tesco, Timpson, Crimestoppers, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Services, and South Lanarkshire Council.