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Young people warned of the dangers of crime and substance misuse

Tue 21 Feb 2012

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 at the end of February.

Now in its tenth 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 February 27th to Tuesday March 6, 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 Liaison 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 year include: Greenhill School, Tenby; Ysgol Dewi Santl; Pembroke Comprehensive School; Milford Haven Comprehensive School; Fishguard Secondary School, Ysgol Preseli and Tasker Milward School, in Haverfordwest.

    Jenny Thomas, Dyfed-Powys Police School Liaison 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.

    Dyfed-Powys Police School Liaison 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.