Mobile Industry Crime Action Forum (MICAF) and the Home Office

Thought provoking materials tackling mobile phone theft amongst 7-16 year olds
www.outofyourhands.com

Background

We have worked in partnership with the Home Office and MICAF (The Mobile Industry Crime Action Forum) since 2003 to develop and grow an educational programme addressing the issue of mobile phone theft and crime amongst young people.

What did we do?

To date, we have developed the website (www.outofyourhands.co.uk) and a suite of educational resources, including:

• Downloadable curriculum linked teacher’s notes
• Student worksheets and activities to record important key facts
• An engaging CD-ROM
• Online film clips
• Victim and perpetrator case studies for stimulating debate
• Letter to parents/guardians to extend the crime and safety messages
• A student ‘safety tips’ take home to keep more young people safe

Materials are used to deliver thought-provoking and stimulating lessons across a variety of subjects including: PSHE, English, ICT, Drama and Citizenship.

As part of an on-going partnership, we have worked with the Home Office to ensure that the educational offering remains current by reflecting the technological changes in the mobile phone industry and the implications this has on crime. We ensure that all of the resources and educational messaging are reviewed and refreshed on a regular basis, so that the resources continue to be relevant to both teachers and students. Being involved in such a fast paced and exciting industry we have to continuously work to identify new opportunities within education that meet these crime prevention objectives.

..it is always good to learn how society develops and how things the pupils see on TV have a direct consequence on life. They really engaged with the materials and the films. Our local police liaison officer also got involved with the sessions – making it a really impactful session with Year 8 students.
Key Stage 3 PSHE coordinator, Surrey