Leicestershire Constabulary has been working with the Y Theatre and Women and Theatre to raise awareness amongst school children about knife crime.
The Bare Drama programme, consisting of a hard hitting play and educational workshops, warns of the dangers of gang culture and the consequences of carrying a knife.
The programme is being taken to secondary schools across Leicester and being shown to children in Year 7, aged 11 and 12-years-old.
The play centres on Sparks, Diesel and Asher, three friends hanging out on an inner-city estate, and the decisions they face.
The characters are used to raise awareness of the experiences, situations and actions which could contribute to gang membership and knife crime.
Bare Drama has been funded through the Safer Leicester Partnership as part of TKAP (Tackling Knives and Serious Youth Violence Action Program), a Government funded project.
Amy Christer, Education Officer at The Y, said: “The project creates a safe environment for young people to explore the choices the characters make and to reflect on their own choices.
“The Arts in Education Programme aims to help young people understand and discuss risk factors, while equipping them with strategies, support networks and resources if they personally experience them in the future.”
Sgt Thomas Moore, the youth involvement officer from Leicestershire Police, said: “Leicester does not have a big problem with gangs or knife crime but this play will help to educate another generation about the dangers and keep Leicester safe.
“Through TKAP we are able to fund projects like Bare Drama and make sure that the message is out there, don’t carry a knife.
“Some people, both adults and children, are oblivious to the dangers of carrying a knife and even more so the consequences they could face if they do. Carrying a knife can land a person in serious trouble with the police and can affect their future.
“The show is great and the workshops are really interesting, I don’t think there are many people who wouldn’t learn something from Bare Drama.”
The Y Theatre contracted Women and Theatre to produce the Bare Drama programme. The play was written by Michael Aduwali and is directed by Terina Talbot.
The programme has already visited Millgate, Soar Valley, Newry Specialist Learning Centre, Rushey Mead and Keyham Lodge and will be delivered at Hamilton Community College, New College and City of Leicester College this week.
