NEWPORT youngsters were educated on the affects of criminal damage during a Gwent Police road show last week.

The ‘Price Tag’ roadshow which launched in Pill saw officers visit schools in the area with a car used to display the costs of mindless acts of criminal damage on vehicles with over exaggerated price tags.

During the roadshow officers from Pill, including the schools community police officer for the area, talked with youngsters about the effects of criminal damage for the victim and offender.

The ‘Price Tag’ roadshow was also launched at Duffryn High School where five one-hour long sessions were delivered to pupils as part of their ‘Eco-Day’.

Highlighting the importance of the project, Inspector Neil Muirhead said: “Initiatives such as this one which highlight the cost and implications of crime to young people are really worthwhile. Criminal damage is sometimes a by-product of anti-social behaviour and we need people to fully understand the true cost of these crimes.

"Every crime prevented is one less victim and ultimately leads to our residents feeling safer.”

The campaign also asks youngsters to think about how long they will have to work to pay for their first car – or their first fine - £5000, if they were to receive the highest penalty imposed for acts of criminal damage where the level of damage caused exceeds £5000.

Part of the poster campaign encourages youngsters to think how long it would take to earn the cost of covering the maximum fine, 1358 hours and a criminal record.

Posters are being distributed to schools and colleges across Newport to help publicise these messages and remind young people about the consequences that they could face if they cause criminal damage.

The campaign follows several months of work that has seen officers increasing patrols at key times that criminal damage takes place, warning those who cause criminal damage they will be made to face the consequences and tackling offenders.

Inspector Muirhead added: “Education is integral to this piece of work, from educating drivers about parking where possible in well-lit areas, turning wing mirrors in and keeping valuable items within the vehicles out of sight to educating children about the effects of criminal damage.

“Please remember… If you know someone responsible for causing damage in the Newport area, or suspect that damage is being committed, please contact Gwent Police on 101.

“We’d also like to thank BMW in Pill for loaning us the BMW X5 car for the day to show pupils.”