Crimestoppers takes aim at kids

Crimestoppers has launched a new website aimed at teaching kids about crime.

The ShadowCS site is aimed at youngsters aged 11 to 16 and allows them to get involved in discussions about crime, and the options available to them if they are unsure of what to do.

ShadowCS features games, music, reviews, competitions and discussions as well as advice about the law. Participants also have the chance to report crimes or suspicious sightings and to ask questions anonymously.

Visitors can customise a character on the site to take part in a variety of Flash-based games in which players can test their memory at identifying people, clean up graffiti, get knives off the street or solve a kidnapping.

Information about drugs and street crime pops up from time to time to help educate users.

"The concept and the ideas came from young people all over the UK," said Phil Pyatt, head of youth at Crimestoppers.

"A lot of young people are more aware than adults of what is going on in the community. Children are often the victims, they are very resilient, and they have grown up with it. For them that is the norm, which is the problem."

The site cost around £75,000 to develop and can be customised by visitors from different regions of the country.