Over 2,000 teenagers have been given hard-hitting messages about vehicle crime and road safety as part of a pioneering initiative within Cardiff, Newport and the Vale of Glamorgan.

Since January 2004, staff from the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service have been delivering the ‘Impact Roadshow’ to Year 10 pupils.

Aimed at reducing vehicle arson and other vehicle crime, the Impact Roadshow is a series of news and video clips, photographs and interactive groupwork that encourages individuals to think about the consequences of these activities on the local community.

Within the one-hour programme, the pupils are asked to consider the role of the Fire and Rescue Service at road traffic collisions, the impact of collisions on the family and friends of victims, and the dangers of making hoax calls and diverting the emergency services.

Funded by the Welsh Assembly Government’s Arson Small Grants Programme, the Impact Roadshow is supported by the Cardiff, Newport and Vale of Glamorgan Community Safety Partnerships and the Auto Crime, Abandoned Vehicle and Arson working groups.