A play and a series of workshops aimed at educating young people to the dangers of criminality, drugs and alcohol misuse will be held in secondary schools throughout Pembrokeshire this month.
Now in its ninth year, the ‘Crime of Your Life’ (COYL) event, is a multi-agency initiative that involves a play and interactive workshops that highlight the consequences of crime and substance misuse on individuals and communities.
The event, which runs from Monday March 7 to Friday March 11, is organised by Dyfed Powys Police, Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service (MAWWF), Haverfordwest Magistrates Court, the Youth Offending Team (YOT), Safer Underage Drinking and Drugs Service (SUDDS), and Victim Support.
Aimed at Keystage 3 students, aged 11 – 13, in years 7 & 8, COYL is part of the all-Wales School Liaision Core Programme, (AWSLCP) which is jointly funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and all four Welsh Police Forces operating in primary and secondary schools in Wales.
The partnership between schools and the police provides a positive strategy to schools so that all pupils have opportunities to enhance their knowledge, understanding, behaviour, attitudes and skills regarding:
- Substance misuse, including alcohol
- Anti-social behaviour
- Personal safety
Schools in Pembrokeshire taking part this month include: Greenhill School, Tenby; Ysgol Dewi Sant; Pembroke Comprehensive School; Milford Haven Comprehensive School; Ysgol Bro Gwaun, Tasker Milward School and Sir Thomas Picton School, in Haverfordwest.
Jenny Thomas, Dyfed Powys Police School Liaision Officers (SLOs), said: “Pupils will watch the COYL play performed by Performing Arts students from Pembrokeshire College, which tells the story of someone who firstly gets involved in petty crime but eventually progresses to serious crime. The play shows the consequences for the individual of their criminal lifestyle and the effects on their family, friends and the community.
“COYL is an excellent example of partnership working at its best and shows what can be achieved when agencies work together effectively. By educating young people to the realities of criminality and substance misuse we hope it will minimise their chances of being dragged into this sort of destructive lifestyle.”
After the play students will take part in six interactive workshops that explore the key themes of the play and offer advice and key messages on how to avoid a life of substance misuse and criminality.
An ex-offender will also speak with students about their experiences and give them an insight into what life is like inside prison with the message that crime doesn’t pay, and that many people can be affected by crime, not just the victim and offender.
Dyfed Powys Police School Liaision Officers (SLOs) will run a quiz workshop exploring and discussing the consequences of crime. Students will be able to use electronic handsets, like those on the TV programme ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’, to register their answers which will be displayed on a whiteboard.
In other workshops: SUDDS will be hosting a workshop looking at the effects of drugs and alcohol; Magistrates will be explaining the court process and the penalties they can impose on offenders; YOT will host the ex-offender questions & answers session; Victim Support will discuss effects of crime on victim and what help they can offer; and MAWWF will be considering the dangers and consequences of fires.
