Stoke Bishop pupils highlight local vandalism

Pupils at Stoke Bishop Primary School have been working on the project with teacher Sophie Aldis

Bristol schoolchildren have been working with the police to try to tackle vandalism in their local area.

Pupils from Stoke Bishop Primary have highlighted issues including abandoned bikes, burnt scooters and graffiti.

The year five and six pupils worked with Avon and Somerset Police to look at the impact it has on communities.

Teacher Sophie Aldis, said: "I think those voices coming from the young people who often get the blame has been a really positive start."

The scheme is part of a project the students have been working on to develop their community spirit.

"We wanted the pupils to have a bigger focus on advocacy and what they can do in their local community," said Ms Aldis.

"This particular group focused on how they felt vandalism was really impacting their enjoyment of their local community and how they wanted to do something about that.

"I think everyone is very impressed with how much they've been affected by it, and how much they want to make sure their community is a happy and pleasant place for everyone to be in," she explained.

The schoolchildren have been working with Avon and Somerset Police to highlight the impact vandalism has on local communities

Four pupils took part in the project including Iris and Christopher, who are both 11, and 10 year-olds Patryk and Ndey.

When asked how important their local area was to them it was clear the young people care passionately about where they live.

"The area is very nice but sometimes when you see vandalism and scooters thrown around in the park I get a bit upset that people are not taking care of what other people have made," said Ndey.

"It ruins some stuff in the area."

While Patryk, said some people "don't think about the owners of things".

"I like living here but I feel sometimes that people don't care about their area and they just mess it up," he said.

Along with abandoned bicycles and burnt scooters, damage to cars has also been highlighted in the area

In a bid to tackle the issue, the group decided to photograph the vandalism they spotted around their local area.

"It is very important as this is where I live, and this is where I am growing up," said Chris.

"I don't want it to be ruined by people who live somewhere else."

While they wait to see if anything changes as a result of the project, their class teacher hopes its impact will be long lasting for all of them.

"I think it's made them realise that their voices are important and that people will listen to them, and that they have the right to speak up and to say when they feel strongly about something," said Ms Aldis.

"It's really made them feel heard," she added.

Avon and Somerset Police said they "do take this issue seriously".

"We're doing lots of extra foot patrols," a spokesman said.

"And I'd like to encourage people to come and talk to us so we can really engage with people and really tackle the issues that matter to them."