Rhyme Against Crime

Getting creative on crime

Rhyme Against Crime is an innovative crime busting scheme, which was launched in 2003 across all Surrey Heath schools. Each year, pupils in Years 4 to 6 are encouraged to participate in a competition to write poems based on various anti-crime themes. The overall winner receives a trophy and prize, with other prizes for runners-up awarded. The winning poems are then published in a commemorative book, which is sold locally to raise money for the following year's prizes.

According to Surrey Heath's Youth Affairs Officer, PC Julian Crabbe, the scheme's greatest strength is that it relies on young people using their creative imagination to write poems on various anti-crime themes. PC Crabbe said: "The one common aim is to encourage the young people of Surrey Heath to carry through into later life the excellent attitude they have displayed by participating in the scheme. Surrey Police and our partners believe the initiative helps to maintain low levels of youth crime across the borough."

A win-win situation

In 2008 the theme of the competition was Theft. The 5th annual awards ceremony took place at Kings International College in October. Hosted by PC Crabbe, 65 children received a mention during the evening for their fantastic efforts in helping to bring this year's theme on Theft to a close. The overall winner was Maddy Miller from Holy Trinity C. of E. School, who received her trophy from the Mayor of Surrey Heath, Councillor Alan Whittart. She also received a book voucher, certificate and a special bag of books donated by Usborne Books.

In second and third place were Scarlett Miles from Year 5 at Connaught School and Megan Adams from Year 5 at Bisley C. o f E., who received certificates and a presentation pen set. The achievement winners received a Waterstones book voucher and certificate signed by the Mayor, PC Crabbe and YPCSO Fran Brodie. The effort winners received a signed certificate and a stationery prize donated by WH Smiths. Both groups were also given a goodie bag, which included a previous Rhyme Against Crime book.

It is anticipated that the 2008 Rhyme Against Crime Book will be available from Waterstones and WH Smiths before Christmas priced at £1.50.

2008 winning entry

Theft
by Maddy Miller, Class 4R, Holy Trinity C. of E. School

At first it started off as a joke
It was hot, I was thirsty, I wanted a Coke.
I walked right in and walked right out
I thought I'd give my friend a shout.

We came out with ten doughnuts this time
We didn't even think we were committing a crime.
We walked right in and walked right out
We thought we were clever, we didn't have a doubt.

This time we thought we'd try something new
A twenty pound note or maybe a few
We walked right in and walked right out
We thought we'd got enough, just about.

But we found we couldn't stop our wicked ways
Of course we got caught, it ended our days.
They walked us right in and we couldn't walk out
So if you're a thief YOU'D BETTER WATCH OUT.

Our photograph shows 2008 trophy winner Maddy Miller of Holy Trinity C. of E. School with the Mayor of Surrey Heath, Councillor Alan Whittart, and PC Julian Crabbe.

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