Police give on-the-spot rewards for good behaviour (From Mid Devon Star)

Police give on-the-spot rewards for good behaviour

9:15am Tuesday 3rd March 2009 in Devon

Police are to start issuing unique on-the-spot reward tickets to Torbay youngsters thanks to a local teenager.

Devon and Cornwall Constabulary is launching motiv8, a new reward scheme to recognise young people for instances of good work in the community.

Under the scheme young people will be issued with reward tickets if they are ‘caught’ carrying out a good deed, such as picking up litter or helping someone.

They will then be considered for a reward, such as a high street voucher or entry to a local attraction plus a certificate from the police.

The scheme was inspired by Paignton teenager Kirsty Ogborne, 16, who suggested that police give out “fixed penalty tickets in reverse to people seen doing good things.”

She submitted the idea to the police stand at Devon County Show last year, when the constabulary asked young people to come up with initiatives to promote good behaviour in the community.

She won a laptop for her idea at the time.

Now she will see her idea adopted across Torbay as well as being officially launched by Britain’s Got Talent stars, street dance group, Flava.

Kirsty, who attends King Edward Sixth Community College in Totnes, said: “I was really shocked when I found out I had won the competition. I never expected my idea to win, let alone be put into practice. I thought it would be good for the police to give out rewards rather than just fines”.

Torbay policing commander, superintendent Chris Singer said: “This is a fantastic idea which came from a young person and I am really pleased we have been able to introduce it in Torbay. Young people often get bad press but young people do a lot of good things and this is a great way of recognising that.”

Rewards have been donated by AMF Bowling, Apollo Cinemas, Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts, Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway and Kents Cavern.

To find out more about motiv8 and how to support the scheme go to www.yrspace.info