Can you meet the challenge?

Gather your friends together, form a group, get your teacher or youth leader on board and register for this year's Challenge!

Your teacher or youth leader will need to register for you.

The aim of the Challenge is for you to learn more about the role of Crime Stoppers.

Our 2010 Challenge is supported by some incredibly significant and supportive partners.

And there are some fantastic prizes up for grabs (check out the home page for the list of prizes)!

So if this is your first year participating in the Challenge, we hope you enjoy the experience and wish you all the very best.

For those returning participants, thank you for supporting our award winning program once again.

To one and all, good luck!

Be sure to check out our resources page for helpful hints and links.

And you're welcome to contact us at any time if you have questions or need more information.

Judges criteria

Participants are encouraged to demonstrate the following:

• Understand the context of crime, ethical issues surrounding crime, the motivations of those committing crime and causes of crime

• Investigate the processes in solving crime, including the role of Crime Stoppers, the Police and the community

• Reflect on the consequences of crime for individuals and the community - whether it be personal, legal, economic and/or social consequences

• Plan and communicate strategies to reduce and prevent crime

What is vandalism?

Vandalism is the crime of wilfully destroying or defacing property without the owner’s permission.

It occurs in all communities and takes on many forms: arson, graffiti, breaking windows or other building structures, on-site drug and alcohol abuse and nuisance through disorderly or loud behaviour.
It may result through boredom, anger, revenge, defiance or peer group association. Targets often include schools, private businesses, parks and public transport.

Young people are most often the offenders and many see vandalism as the starting point for more serious crimes. The cost to communities can be high – local and state governments (and therefore taxpayers) spend millions of dollars each year removing graffiti and replacing damaged property.

Vandalism can also effect the quality of life in communities by creating feelings of intimidation in areas where large amounts of graffiti are present. Fear and stress are also common in areas where substance abuse and antisocial behaviour occur.