Borehamwood teenager Russell Bird has won a county-wide competition to design a crime-fighting invention.

Russell Bird, a 15-year-old from Halter Close, won the Hertfordshire Crime Prevention Challenge, with his design of a totally-new alarm to protect garages.

Out of the 99 students who entered the competition, Russell's device was best suited to the challenge, which was to come up with a new idea that would help homeowners to deter burglars.

"I was really shocked because there were some excellent designs. It was a tough decision for the judges," said Russell.

The results were announced at Wheathampstead Development Centre, after the entrants made presentations to a panel of judges, including the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire and members of the Home Office.

Russell was awarded with £100 for himself, and £500 of design and technology software which will be given to his school, Francis Bacon School, St Albans. He also received a Creativity in Engineering Science and Technology Award.

The three finalists visited the Hertfordshire branch of the Home Office's Police, Scientific Development Branch on Monday, where they saw different crime prevention techniques being developed.

Russell was at a disadvantage when he entered the competition. Not only a late entry, he was also a year younger than most of the other entrants. Derek Carter, head of technology at his school, said: "Russell found the exercise intellectually challenging, but had no difficulty rising to this challenge despite the fact that he is in Year Ten and was competing against students in Year 11."

Russell researched the need for security devices in the area, interviewed people and discovered that, although people alarm their houses, few alarm their garages. Having found a gap in the market he developed the idea, and created a device which is triggered if the garage door is opened.

The challenge, the first of its kind in the county, was pioneered by Hertfordshire Constabulary, the Welwyn Hatfield Crime Prevention Panel and Hertfordshire County Council. Robert Gordon, in charge of the county's policies towards schools, said: "We're pleased with the response to this year's launch and hope many more schools take up the Crime Prevention Challenge next year."

July 10, 2002 18:30