Police use junk food discounts to 'bribe' children to behave
- added July 25, 2008
- 9 responses
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- goldenways
- added this
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Teenagers who promise to stay out of trouble will be given discounts on burgers, chips and pizzas, as well as computer games, clothes and trips to the cinema and bowling alley.
The Positive Citizen scheme is being piloted by police and the local council in Sutton, south London, in an attempt to "break down barriers" between children and the authorities.
But critics have dismissed it as an "appalling" idea which will encourage young people to become trapped in a cycle of obesity and inactivity. They also point to evidence that a diet of junk food can actually cause children to misbehave.
Anyone aged between 12 and 17 can take part in the scheme, so long as they sign a "good behaviour contract". Once this is done they are given a Positive Citizen photo-card, which entitles them to discounts at a number of high-street outlets.
The card gives 10 per cent off at Pizza Hut, Zavvi, New Look and Top Shop, staff discount rates at McDonald's and even a basic DIY course at B&Q.
It also entitles the holder to £4.25 entry, instead of £7.50, at Sutton's Empire cinema once a month, while at the local Superbowl a game will cost £3 rather than £4.50.
Young people who take up the scheme are warned that the perks will be removed if they are caught behaving in an antisocial manner.
Criticising the cards, Robert Whelan, deputy director of think-tank Civitas, said: "If you start thinking you have to pay people who behave, you are admitting the battle has been lost."
Neville Rigby, from the International Obesity Task Force, said: "There is a lot of evidence that eating a diet of junk food makes children behave badly, which means that the police are just creating a problem for themselves in the long-run with these cards.'
Linda Voss, from the EarlyBird Diabetes Trust, said: "It's difficult enough to wean children off junk food. While I can't imagine a voucher for a fruit and veg stall going down very well, if they could restrict it to clothes or records stores that would be great."
A Scotland Yard spokesman defended the scheme saying: "What people choose to eat is a matter for them and not a police matter."
Local officers are confident that there will be positive results from the scheme. Sergeant Stuart Taylor-Bard, of Sutton police, said: "It will encourage young people to get to know us and give us the opportunity to work together to develop new projects in the future."
The Positive Citizen scheme is being piloted by police and the local council in Sutton, south London, in an attempt to "break down barriers" between children and the authorities.
But critics have dismissed it as an "appalling" idea which will encourage young people to become trapped in a cycle of obesity and inactivity. They also point to evidence that a diet of junk food can actually cause children to misbehave.
Anyone aged between 12 and 17 can take part in the scheme, so long as they sign a "good behaviour contract". Once this is done they are given a Positive Citizen photo-card, which entitles them to discounts at a number of high-street outlets.
The card gives 10 per cent off at Pizza Hut, Zavvi, New Look and Top Shop, staff discount rates at McDonald's and even a basic DIY course at B&Q.
It also entitles the holder to £4.25 entry, instead of £7.50, at Sutton's Empire cinema once a month, while at the local Superbowl a game will cost £3 rather than £4.50.
Young people who take up the scheme are warned that the perks will be removed if they are caught behaving in an antisocial manner.
Criticising the cards, Robert Whelan, deputy director of think-tank Civitas, said: "If you start thinking you have to pay people who behave, you are admitting the battle has been lost."
Neville Rigby, from the International Obesity Task Force, said: "There is a lot of evidence that eating a diet of junk food makes children behave badly, which means that the police are just creating a problem for themselves in the long-run with these cards.'
Linda Voss, from the EarlyBird Diabetes Trust, said: "It's difficult enough to wean children off junk food. While I can't imagine a voucher for a fruit and veg stall going down very well, if they could restrict it to clothes or records stores that would be great."
A Scotland Yard spokesman defended the scheme saying: "What people choose to eat is a matter for them and not a police matter."
Local officers are confident that there will be positive results from the scheme. Sergeant Stuart Taylor-Bard, of Sutton police, said: "It will encourage young people to get to know us and give us the opportunity to work together to develop new projects in the future."
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- goldenways
- 2 months ago
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I think it's a fantastic idea, this can't get scrapped just because some fat kid will use it to get cheap burgers...
If these kids aren't getting the message at home that good behaviour is rewarded, then maybe it's not such a bad idea that the state steps in and teaches them that lesson.
I hope plenty of UK companies get on board with this and really make it worthwhile for the kids to take part in.-
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- phillyharper
- 2 months ago
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There is a plethora research clearly indicating that, in order to socialize animals (including humans), BOTH negative AND positive incentives are required. This is a great example of positive incentives being used. Of course, in the USA, we are always slow to use positive incentives....
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- dkincheloe
- 2 months ago
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The idea is great in and of itself, but given that there is a serious problem with obesity among teenagers, why not give them vouchers for computer games, books, music downloads, etc. instead of food discounts?
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- JanaPokana
- 2 months ago
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The food discounts should be scrapped for health reasons, but discounts on games, clothes, etc for behaving will definatly help this generation become less violent and criminalised...btw is criminalised even a word?
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Wow. Yet another shit idea. Good one, government. Why not reward people for doing something good, not just for *not* doing something bad? I *don't* do loads of bad stuff everyday (I am quite boring), and I don't expect a reward. That warm feeling of self-righteousness is quite enough.
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- LindseyIndigo
- 2 months ago
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For a "bad" kid to not do something bad is a good thing. Give them a pat on the back. If they like burgers fine give them burgers. These kids in tough areas need all the encouragement they can get.
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- Jimmy_Underdog
- 2 months ago
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As someone who has taught in some pretty dire schools for many years....I've always said you've got to reward good behaviour - or even the absence of bad behaviour - it's about time someone started doing it!
A good idea - can I get cheap burgers and bowling for being a good adult though? Or maybe just a council tax rebate!? -
So, this means pretty much our yong and younger generations will be fat, spoilt with games and cloths, and not want to let that go? And they could well be bad to regain asttention of the police for more stuff?
...sorry, but that just don't make any such sense! -
THIS IS MADNESS!!!!
It comes to show how lazy people are these days.
Giving them discounts won't solve anything...
Once you give them the discounts and items,
the next thing you know they will want more
or else they will "commit" a crime or do something
terrible..
Why is it nobody EVER thinks TWICE!!!-
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- Achgelis222
- 1 month ago
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