Streetwise & Cyber Smart: Crime Awareness for Young People
Sheffield Hallam University’s Institute of Law & Justice is pleased to offer an exciting outreach opportunity for schools and colleges, delivered by our Level 4 Criminology, Criminology & Psychology, and Criminology & Sociology students.
Engage learners through interactive, age-appropriate sessions on key issues affecting young people today, combining academic insight with practical awareness.
What’s Covered
The programme supports early crime prevention education, while also giving our undergraduate students valuable experience in designing and delivering real-world, community-focused learning.
Sessions are shaped by different academic perspectives (criminological, psychological, and sociological) creating dynamic, thought-provoking learning experiences.
Session Themes
Our undergraduate students will design and deliver engaging workshops on topics such as:
County Lines:
This session explores how criminal gangs exploit young people in drug distribution networks across regions. Learners will examine:
- Grooming and coercion tactics
- Warning signs and risk factors
- Support strategies and safeguarding awareness
The aim is to build understanding, resilience, and awareness, helping students recognise and respond to potential risks.
Cybercrime and Online Harms:
This session introduces learners to the evolving challenges of the digital world, including:
- AI-enabled crimes (e.g. deepfakes, scams, impersonation)
- Cyberbullying and online exploitation
- Safe and responsible digital behaviour
Students will develop greater awareness of digital risks and protective strategies, supporting safer online engagement.
Why Take Part?
This programme offers multiple benefits for school and college learners, including:
- Awareness around key contemporary issues
- Opportunities to engage with university-style learning and discussion
- Insight into criminology and related degree pathways
- Development of critical thinking and discussion skills
- A chance to interact with current university students in a supportive environment
The sessions also provide a valuable university taster experience, mirroring the kinds of topics and activities students encounter during their first semester of study.
Available Dates for Academic Year 2026/27
- 24/11/26
- 25/11/26
- 26/11/26
The event is scheduled from 09:30 to 14:45.
An optional campus tour will be available, concluding the day at 15:15.
Eligibility Requirements
The event is open to students studying Level 2 & 3 courses at schools, sixth forms and colleges. Students do not need to be studying a law and justice course to attend.
This event is ideal for groups of pre-16 learners looking to spark their curiosity about criminology, as well as for those considering university – whether they already plan to study law and justice or are still exploring their options.
Get in touch:
To book a group of learners onto this event please email SCLO@shu.ac.uk. A member of the Sheffield Hallam University Outreach Team will be happy to liaise with you and support your booking.
For more information, enquiries, or support with outreach, please do not hesitate to contact us at SCLO@shu.ac.uk.
Travel
We recommend planning your travel arrangements in advance. As a city-centre university, we do not have on-site parking available; however, there are nearby privately owned car parks that we can direct you to.
For environmental reasons, and as we are conveniently located next to Sheffield train station and the Sheffield bus interchange, we encourage travel by public transport whenever possible.