Dubit join forces with Police launch computer game for schools

May 19, 2006

Leading youth agency Dubit has launched a website in conjunction with West Yorkshire Police to help schoolchildren promote good citizenship and encourage taking care of their environment.

The website, www.wycityzones.com, designed by Dubit, uses key messages provided by the police to encourage players to achieve certain aims that will improve the local environment.

There are currently two active zones - the Housing Estate and the City Centre. Playing the game raises issues that need to be acted upon such as race and hate crimes, theft, crime reporting, crime reporting and environmental and personal safety issues.

It is designed to address the Citizenship curriculum for Key Stage 3, but is also relevant to both Key Stage two and four.

Ian Douthwaite from Dubit comments, 'We were pleased to work with West Yorkshire Police, especially with this project as much of our work resolves around young people and community safety issues. I am particularly pleased with the characterisation and graphics of the game and believe we have produced an exciting and challenging game for young people to enjoy and learn from.'

The Force's Schools Officer Inspector Janet Balance said: "This is an amazing project, the first of its kind for the police service. It is designed for young people at key stage 3 level and can be played independently away from school. The young people will learn that they can contribute positively towards their community, avoid stereo typing and the prejudices around this. All of this is done in a very fun way and requires good IT skills and decision making to successfully play the game. wycityzones.com will be cascaded to all schools following the launch at Prince Henrys Grammar School."

The site does not require registration or personal details and is free - just click and play.

Nick Cook, Head of Year 8 at Prince Henry Grammar School, said: "We are very proud to be working in partnership with West Yorkshire Police. The aim of the website is to encourage pupils in lower school (11-14) to become better citizens which ties in nicely with the focus of the school's aims.

"The website has been well received by over two hundred Year 8 students at Prince Henry's Grammar School. They found it exciting with many challenging aspects. A success all round! I even enjoyed a couple of games.

Pupil James Robertson said: "I think the WYCITYZONES website is very good. It encourages you to do good things and good turns for people who need it. There is one task you must complete where you have to help some children from other countries feel welcome. It made me think about how they must feel."

ENDS

For further information please contact Catherine Sandham or Rachel Burgan at HarrisonCowley; t 0870 60 60 960, e catherines@harrisoncowley.com or rachelb@harrisoncowley.com

Notes to editor;

www.dubitlimited.com

Dubit Ltd is a Youth Communications Group consisting of specialist marketing, research and web design divisions. Based in Leeds, the agency also provides clients with direct access to the youth market via its community portal www.dubit.co.uk and DubitCard, the free loyalty card for 11 - 17 year olds.