Dorset Police partners with local school to pilot fraud education programme
Dorset Police has partnered with a local school to pilot an education programme centred around fraud.
Cases of fraud now represent 41 per cent of all reported crime nationally, and in Dorset, there have been nearly 5,000 cases of fraud reported in the past 13 months.
In response, Dorset Police and the Livingstone Academy in Bournemouth have launched an educational initiative called ‘The Just One Child Project’ to transform how young people learn to protect themselves and their communities from sophisticated fraudsters.
As part of the project, students have created an array of fraud protection resources including online games, rap songs, educational videos, and awareness posters, demonstrating their understanding of how fraudsters exploit social engineering techniques and emotional manipulation to override critical thinking.
Their creations were showcased at a special event put on by the school, attended by parents and officers from Dorset Police.
Dorset Police’s Fraud Protection Officer Damian Cranny said: “The project addresses the need for fraud education by teaching students to recognise warning signs and protective strategies.
“The work produced by these students has been absolutely outstanding. They have risen to this challenge beyond all expectations.
“What we're seeing is students who began this course developing into confident and competent advocates for fraud prevention."
Susan Poet, Head of English at Livingstone Academy, said: “As Head of English, I am incredibly proud of our pupils’ insight, creativity, and courage in tackling such an important subject. The Just One Child Project reflects our commitment to safeguarding young people and equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to protect themselves and others in an increasingly digital age.”
The Just One Child Project’s resources are being made freely available to educational institutions throughout Dorset.
For more information about implementing this fraud protection program in your school, or to access free educational resources, please contact Damian Cranny at fraudprotect@dorset.pnn.police.uk.
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