Dawn’s crime-busting, prize-winning project

The study of crime has paid off for Dawn Potter. Not only has she graduated from the Middlesbrough-based University of Teesside with a joint BSc (Hons) degree in Psychology and Criminology, but she also clinched the Cleveland Police Prize of £500.

Dawn, 21, of Doveley’s Manor Park, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, gained the prize for her final-year dissertation. The annual prize is a unique initiative between the University’s School of Social Sciences and Cleveland Police, and funded by money seized from drug dealer’s assets.

Dawn carried out a survey of prisoners in Hartlepool custody office, interviewing forty people over a two-month period about their drink and drug habits and how this affected their criminal behaviour. This information was collected using a computer- based questionnaire, which was loaded onto police computers. The computer programme was developed to increase both the reliability and accuracy of responses from questioned offenders. Dawn said: “The timescale of the project was compressed, I only gained access to the prisoners in March and had to submit the dissertation by May. I was surprised to win, and I’ve already spent the money on trying to clear my overdraft!”

Assistant Chief Constable Bryan Bell of Cleveland Police said: “I was delighted to present the award to Dawn and I offer my thanks to her and all the students who took part. It is clear evidence of young people from our community working to help eradicate the drugs menace.”

Dawn came to the University with three ‘A’ levels in Business Studies, Biology and Art from Wisbech Grammar School. Dawn said: “I chose Teesside as the campus was compact, with everything on one site. The degree was really interesting, with modules such as interpersonal violence, where we explored hooliganism and domestic violence.”

It wasn’t all work and no play for Dawn, as she toured with the University’s netball team in Spain and the basketball team in Holland. She is hoping to complete a Masters degree and then aim for a career in the Probation service or with youth offenders. Dawn added: “I spent three months this year in Maine, Boston, as a counsellor in an American summer camp. The children were aged six to 13 and from very deprived backgrounds; it was the most rewarding work I have ever done.”

November was a busy month for Dawn’s parents Terry and Christine, as their son Anthony also graduated with a BEng (Hons) degree in Automotive Engineering from Hatfield University.

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