Young Slough people given the chance to "dob-a-robber"
In a ground-breaking new initiative, Slough young people will soon have the opportunity to report bullies to the police via a confidential email address.
Dob-a-robber, the first initiative of its kind in Thames Valley, will encourage Slough children to give information to the police through a secure email system.
Crime figures show that an increasing number of children are being targeted by bullies who steal their money and personal property. Many youngsters are afraid to tell their parents or teachers, even if they know who the culprits are.
Martin Reeves, of the CID Robbery Team in Slough, said: “Young people often tell each other about such offences; but extracting the information in order to deal with the culprits through the legal process can prove extremely difficult.
“So, the dob-a-robber campaign has been set up to make it easier and safer for children to provide this information to the police.
“By using the secure email address set up by Thames Valley Police, we hope that more children will come forward - anonymously if they wish.” SloughRobberies@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
The initiative will be formally launched on Wednesday 21 March during a seminar at Slough Grammar School, supported by Thames Valley Police. Pupils from senior schools in Slough, Langley, Burnham, Maidenhead, Windsor and Datchet will attend the meeting to discuss the issues surrounding robbery, and how they can help to bring those responsible to justice.
It is hoped that each Slough school will set up a panel of four 15 to 16-year-old volunteers. The duties of this panel – a sort of ‘crime help’ team - will be to support dob-a-robber by displaying posters within the school premises and advising young people about the new confidential email address.
Martin adds: “Thames Valley Police will fully support this initiative, which we hope will be mainly driven by the young people themselves.
“We would like to see a network of ‘crime help’ panels in the area, with young people spreading the word that anyon
e can give information anonymously to the police.”
Margaret Lenton, Headmistress of Slough Grammar School, said: “This worthwhile activity really drives home the seriousness of robbery, which can carry a lengthy prison sentence.
“This initiative really gives our young people the freedom to report crimes in confidence.”
LPA Commander, Supt Pete Davies, said: “This is an exciting new initiative to help us drive down robbery. Whilst the people responsible for these types of offences may see it as just plain bullying, it is not. Taking someone else’s property using violence or threats is robbery and will be treated as such, with serious consequences for those caught committing the offence.
“I am delighted at the support we have received from students, especially those at Slough Grammar School. We want this to be a long-term project involving our young people, and I hope to see new panel members volunteering each year.”
* Between 1 April 2005 and 28 February 2006, there were a total of 80 incidents of robbery of under 17-year-olds in Slough, compared with 117 reported between 1 April 2006 and 28 February 2007.
Between 1 April 2005 and 28 February 2006, there were a total of 29 robberies of 17 to 20-year-olds in Slough, compared with 54 between 1 April 2006 and 28 February 2007.
Thames Valley Police ~ Slough