SERC students tackle city crime

Public service students from South Eastern Regional College (SERC) have spent their academic year working to tackle anti-social behaviour in Lisburn.
SERC uniformed public services students Jordan Turner, Cameron Wilson, Gareth Geddis and Emma Lynn who are working on an advertising campaign to help tackle anti-social behaviour in Lisburn for the PSNI. The students are pictured with Angela McCann, PCSP Manager at Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, Michael Green, PSNI Crime Prevention Officer, SERC Lisburn Campus Manager Richard Armstrong, Councillor Scott Carson and lecturer Irwin Pryce.SERC uniformed public services students Jordan Turner, Cameron Wilson, Gareth Geddis and Emma Lynn who are working on an advertising campaign to help tackle anti-social behaviour in Lisburn for the PSNI. The students are pictured with Angela McCann, PCSP Manager at Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, Michael Green, PSNI Crime Prevention Officer, SERC Lisburn Campus Manager Richard Armstrong, Councillor Scott Carson and lecturer Irwin Pryce.
SERC uniformed public services students Jordan Turner, Cameron Wilson, Gareth Geddis and Emma Lynn who are working on an advertising campaign to help tackle anti-social behaviour in Lisburn for the PSNI. The students are pictured with Angela McCann, PCSP Manager at Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, Michael Green, PSNI Crime Prevention Officer, SERC Lisburn Campus Manager Richard Armstrong, Councillor Scott Carson and lecturer Irwin Pryce.

The campaign, in collaboration with the police, involved students producing ideas and slogans for use in outdoor advertising campaigns and is aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour within the local area.

The students recently pitched their ideas to PSNI representatives.

Public services students Gareth Geddis, Emma Lynn, Cameron Wilson and Jordan Turner’s presentation focused on crime within society around the Lisburn vicinity, particularly Wallace Park.

In order to understand the specific problems around the area, the students carried out research.

The results showed that residents found noise, alcohol and substance misuse to be common problems especially in summer.

Students thought of innovative hard-hitting slogans such as, ‘Don’t throw away your career for a beer’ - to encourage young people to think about the long term consequences of their actions.

The PSNI are delighted to have an educational partnership with SERC.

Sgt Daryl Lucas, said: “The projects are set to achieve real results and contribute to our local policing plan goals. We wanted to tap into the creative concept of our target audience so what better way to do that than by working with students aged between 16-18.

“We recognise that these students are the industry’s future workforce and we are committed to supporting their educational development.”

SERC public services tutor Irwin Pryce said: “This campaign has allowed the students to add valuable knowledge and credibility to their CVs.

“The students have enjoyed working on the campaign and getting the unique opportunity to work on a real life project to enrich their studies.

“The skills and knowledge they have gained from participating in the projects will stand them in good stead for a career in the highly competitive public services industry.

“We are very grateful to the PSNI and all the companies we have worked with in the past for providing this opportunity and we are delighted that we can deliver real results.”