Deputy Chairman Brian Whyte has devised a new board game for children, designed to make them aware of levels of crime, and how they can assist in fighting crime, namely by telephoning Crimestoppers, as the object of the game is to obtain the Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111 and make that call.

Players move around the board collecting cards each time that they land on a highlighted 'crime information' square. The object is to amass the appropriate cards that will allow the player to obtain the Crimestoppers number. Once this has been achieved, the player must then land on a square displaying a telephone in order to make that call to Crimestoppers, thereby winning the game.

t is in the process of being refined by a professional board games producer (Shannon Games of Kirkintilloch). The unit of cost of producing the game is calculated at around £10 and negotiations are progressing at both national and local levels in a bid to have the game rolled out.

On a national perspective, funding of about £5,000 would enable us to make the game available to all primary schools in Scotland, as this sum would allow 500 games to be manufactured. The new Crimestoppers board game could then be distributed to each teacher's resource centre in all 32 unitary authorities, giving an average of 15 copies each.

“Feedback from representatives of both schools and police has been very positive with regard to the game's potential." said Brian. “T he game can be seen to carry many societal benefits and attributes. It carries an educational message that although crime does exist and can appear to be widespread, something can be done about it by any member of the public of any age, and emphasises that if for any reason whatsoever any person does not wish to speak directly with the police, that there is an alternative and anonymous way of giving information regarding crime. It is also designed in order that the 0800 555 111 number can be recalled easily.”