Rhyme Against Crime

Getting creative on crime

Rhyme Against Crime is an innovative crime busting scheme, which was launched in 2004 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.

A win-win situation

Joseph Mills of Ravenscote School was judged to be the overall winner in the 2009 Rhyme Against Crime competition. Joseph was announced as the winner at a ceremony at Kings International College, Camberley on 13 October, attended by the Mayor of Surrey Heath, Craig Fennell, and West Surrey Police Chief Superintendent, Helen Collins. He received a book voucher, certificate and a special bag of books donated by Usborne Books for his triumphant effort.

This year the subject was anti-social behaviour and judge Chief Supt Collins had her work cut out to choose the best poem. Twelve schools from across the borough joined in the project with nearly 2,000 pupils taking part in workshop sessions. Overall, 63 children received a mention during the course of the evening for their fantastic efforts in helping to make the event such as success.

The winners were invited up on stage to meet the Mayor and receive their prizes, with the top Achievement winners receiving a book voucher and stationery. All the winners received a signed certificate and a goodie bag which included a previous Rhyme Against Crime book.

Commenting on this year's entries, the Mayor of Surrey Heath said: "I am immensely impressed by the poems, all of which are a thoughtful response to the various issues surrounding crime. The ideas and expressions in the children's poems are interesting and show the talent of all those involved. All of us would like our children to grow up in safe surroundings and I am sure that an increased awareness will help prevent crime and the consequences of crime."

PC Julian Crabbe, who started up the annual competition in 2004, said: "This is my sixth year running Rhyme Against Crime and once again I've been hugely impressed by the children's creativity and enthusiasm. People are often quick to associate anti-social behaviour with youth, so this has been a great opportunity for young people to speak out against the lawbreaking minority and in doing so produce some amazing poems on the subject."

The winning entrants can be proud to see their work in print, as Surrey Heath Borough Council has compiled their poems into a new book, available from WH Smith and Waterstones in Camberley for just £1.50.

Anti Social Behaviour

By Joseph Mills Class 4E, Ravenscote School

Some people graffiti all over the park
Some people are abusive, when it gets dark
This is not clever, this is not smart
Oh ! how silly you really are.

Some people swear because it's a dare
Why is it you people never seem to care?
This is not clever, this is not smart
Oh ! how silly you really are.

Some people fight and think that it's cool
If only they had listened when they were at school
This is not clever, this is not smart
Oh ! how silly you really are.

Some people are violent and like to use knives
Why can't they see they're risking their lives
This is not clever this is not smart
Oh ! how silly you really are.