A new DVD created by Newport’s youth offending team in partnership with Gwent Police aims to persuade young people that it does not pay to shoplift or steal.
Is It Worth It? was premiered at Newport High School last night (04 November 2010) and will be available to every school in Gwent.
It was decided to make the film as part of Triage, a Home Office and Welsh Assembly Government-funded pilot scheme which is designed to reduce the number of first time entrants into the youth justice system and reduce the rates of re-offending.
The Triage team works restoratively with victims and offenders, offering an alternative to a police remand.
Over the first six months of the initiative, it was discovered that shoplifting and theft were the most common crimes committed by young people.
The 10-minute film depicts a day in the life of teenager Danielle, played by Chloe Lloyd, who succumbs to peer pressure and gets caught shoplifting. It highlights the impact on Danielle, her parents and her future.
Schools interested in screening the film will receive a learning pack and evaluation sheet. The team intends to monitor the effect the film and accompanying materials have on shoplifting arrest rates.
Councillor David Atwell, cabinet member for young people’s services, said: “Some young people consider shoplifting to be a petty offence but this film vividly depicts the damage it can cause to a young person and the repercussions it can have on their life and future.
“I hope all schools will take the opportunity to show the film and that it will persuade pupils that shoplifting is a risk that is definitely not worth taking. It will make an important contribution to our objective of reducing the number of young people who make the wrong choices and end up in the criminal justice system.”
Sergeant Andrew Lloyd who the led the project on behalf of Gwent Police commented:
‘The aim of film is to show young people about the consequences of shoplifting. Gwent Police and other partner agencies would rather help educate and try to deter a young person from stealing rather than having to deal with them through the criminal justice system at a later date.
‘Shoplifting often starts off with small value items, but even the theft of these items can result in a criminal record. Being convicted of theft has serious consequences that stay with a person and their families throughout their life.
‘I think the excellent film will hit home and young people can decide for themselves if it’s worth it.”
