April 07, 2019 - 1157 views
'Justice in a Day' has returned for it’s 10th year and is currently running with workshops in over 40 local schools.
This special programme from North Wales Police and Community Trust is delivered in partnership with Theatr Clwyd and supported by Scottish Power Foundation.
This year, the theme of the workshop is ‘county lines’ which aims to raise awareness of drug dealing gangs targeting vulnerable young people to move drugs in and out of small towns and villages.
PCSO Bethany Weston said: “This topic is becoming a massive issue amongst young people and educating them in this unusual way will hopefully stop them from falling into county lines situations. This is a fantastic project to be involved in and such a relevant topic for schoolchildren to be made aware of.”
The workshop follows school student, Connor, who becomes indebted to a gang from the city who are supplying heroin and cocaine. Connor is made to deliver drugs for the gang but is arrested and charged with serious offences.
The interactive drama increases young people’s knowledge of the criminal justice system, and how it could impact them as both offenders and victims, in order to educate them on the consequences of crime. The realistic production allows pupils to see, hear and judge the potential consequences of their or their peers’ actions, including an appearance in court, sentencing and imprisonment.
By following the story of someone who is their own age, the aim is to drive home a strong deterrent message and steer them away from a criminal path.
Dave Evans, PACT Project Manager, said: “County lines and knife crime are a continuing scourge on our society and it is vital that we educate our young people to help keep them safe from harm.
“Through ‘Justice in a Day’, Emyr John has created a programme that gives us the opportunity to do this in a safe, informative and engaging manner.”
The Justice in a Day programme is continuing to visit secondary schools across North Wales and will finish the tour on the 12th April.
