Bullying targeted by street wardens

Sep 11 2007 By Gurdip Thandi, Birmingham Mail

A NEW anti-bullying initiative has been launched in Staffordshire to help support terrified young victims and stamp out the problem in schools.

Tamworth street wardens James Vanstone and Brian Lees have set up their own scheme that will see them going into schools across the area to given presentations.

They will also talk to the children and give them advice about what they should do if they think they are being targeted.

This will include the reasons behind bullying and ways in which bullying can be stamped out.

The aim of the campaign is to promote an awareness of bullying in Tamworth schools and on the town's streets.

They also hope it will create a climate where everyone agrees that bullying is unacceptable and reinforce the importance of minimising the problem.

The warden's initiative coincides with the start of the new school term following the end of the summer holidays. It will also tie in with National Anti-Bullying Week, which takes place from November 19.

A few weeks before that, the wardens will also be running a competition open to children of all ages, with a prize-giving ceremony taking place during the national campaign.

Mr Vanstone said: "It is important that every Tamworth resident plays an active role in reducing all aspects of bullying, physical, verbal, and emotional.

"With the latest improvements in modern technology we now have a growing trend of cyber-bullying.

"The national campaign aims to promote awareness of this new, yet powerful problem.

"Our young people hold so many talents and it is important that they feel good about themselves and enjoy their lives and don't feel like they are at the mercy of bullies."