NEWS RELEASES
Kids taught how to avoid anti-social behaviour
8th June 2007
OVER 300 eight to ten years old from schools in the south of the Horsham District are to learn skills to help them make decisions to positively impact on the communities in which they live.
One of the sessions, to be delivered by the Horsham District’s neighbourhood wardens, will include information on how to prevent becoming involved in acts of anti-social behaviour.
The youngsters will be taking part in the annual Junior Citizen initiative, which is held in Pulborough every summer and in Horsham every autumn.
This summer’s event runs from 12 to 14 June at Lodge Hill in Pulborough and aims to help local school children aged 8 to 10 become more aware of the skills they need to keep themselves and others safe in everyday life.
This year’s additional new theme looks closely at anti-social behaviour and addresses how young people can act in more public spirited ways and avoid negative behaviour by themselves or others.
Greg Charman of the Horsham District Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, explained:
“It is important to make children aware of the issues around both pro-social and anti-social behaviour in our communities. We emphasise the point that whichever route a person chooses to take has a significant effect on the lives of other people.”
Additional topics and tuition to be covered at Junior Citizen this year will look at fire prevention, dealing with strangers, safety near roads and electrical installations, environmental issues, drugs awareness and pollution.
“All of the children are always very enthusiastic,” comments Cllr Robert Nye, Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability at Horsham District Council."
“The mixture of short tutorials coupled with fun activities really helps to instil these important safety messages in their minds."
“We very much hope that we are helping to promote very positive values for tomorrow’s generation.”
The event is being run by Horsham District Council in partnership with many other outside agencies to highlight the wide spectrum of situations where accidents and difficulties can sometimes occur in everyday life.
Partners in this year’s event include local schools, Sussex Police, Horsham District Council, Horsham District Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, West Sussex County Council Road Safety Division, West Sussex Trading Standards, West Sussex Energy Efficiency Advice Centre and EDF Energy.
To find out more about the Junior Citizen events in the Horsham District, contact Paul Hobbs at Horsham District Council on 01403 215421 (email: paul.hobbs@horsham.gov.uk).
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CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
Email: richard.morris@horsham.gov.uk