Young crime fighter from Ferryhill scoops top prize in PCC’s online safety competition

A lucky school pupil from Ferryhill has triumphed in a prize draw organised by Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen as part of a fun and interactive online safety programme.

Kinley and her family were invited to Durham Constabulary HQ where the County Durham and Darlington PCC presented a new iPad after the pupil was randomly chosen out of the pool of Year 7 Ferryhill School students who have successfully graduated from this year’s Commissioner’s Challenge Platinum Award Scheme.

The initiative, which has been piloted at Ferryhill School for the past 12 months, was developed by the PCC as part of a mission to tackle the growing threat of online crime and fraud by providing young people with advice on how to protect themselves and their parents and peers.

The rewards-based scheme, which was first unveiled last year, teaches young people about the importance of two-factor authentication – a security process that adds another layer of protection to online accounts rather than just using a password and username. This could include a one-off code being sent to a mobile phone via SMS or a fingerprint.

Other topics on the scheme include the importance of using strong passwords and how to check if you have become the victim of a data breach.

Pupils are encouraged to bring their booklets home to carry out modules alongside their parents, guardians and grandparents to share their new skills to help prevent their families from falling prey to online criminals.

As a reward for their hard work, the PCC offered up the iPad as a top prize for the lucky pupil whose name was randomly picked following the conclusion of the course.  

At a special presentation, the PCC was joined by Chief Constable Rachel Bacon, Steve Handley, Assistant Headteacher at Ferryhill School and Glenys Newby, Approach Too manager who has helped to rollout the Commissioner’s Challenge programme.

Joy Allen said: “Congratulations to Kinley for winning this fantastic prize.  All of the pupils involved on the programme have done themselves proud and I have no doubt the skills and knowledge they have learned during the journey will serve them well in the future.

“The Platinum Challenge is a variation of a hugely successful scheme that was been running across our primary schools for some time. I am truly grateful to the students of Ferryhill School for being part on the ongoing pilot to ensure we deliver the package in the most impactful and exciting way possible. Thanks to their efforts, we have learned lessons too and hope to roll the scheme out more widely later this year.

“Online crime and fraud are growing all the time, with criminals discovering new and more sophisticated ways in which to dupe people.  It’s a risk to us all,but especially young people who spend a significant amount of time on devices.  So, it’s vitally important that young people are aware of security precautions such as two-factor authentication and the need for strong passwords.

“This project, which fully involves parents, proves that with the right message and medium, we can deliver important safety messages that resonate with pupils and across the generations as they share tips.  It helps everyone to make safer choices when spending time online.”

The project is based on the original Commissioner’s Challenge scheme which has already been completed by thousands of primary school pupils across the county.

Developed and delivered by community organisation Approach Too, in conjunction with the PCC, the interactive project encourages young people to take part in a host of crime prevention activities including litter picking, safe road practices and property marking with UV markers to secure bronze, silver and gold badges. The aim is to equip them with the knowledge they need to make safe choices now and in the future.

A ceremony takes place at the completion of the challenges in the work booklet to honour those who successfully graduate from the scheme.

The PCC is already working with the NEBRC on a project to provide educational institutions across the county heavily subsidised cyber security services to protect them from a cyberattack.

Ends

Picture shows (L-R):  Glenys Newby (Approach Too), Chief Constable Rachel Bacon, Kinley, PCC Joy Allen and Steve Handley (Assistant Headteacher at Ferryhill School).

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