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Young citizen event tackles knife and gang crime

West Northamptonshire Council Interior of a theatre, showing a person in a yellow shirt and dark trousers walking on the stage near a small lectern, and an image projected on the back of the stage. There are red curtains, and boxes to both sides with a wavy line pattern on the walls. Children are sat in the theatre seats, with a wooden shelf in front of them. There are two police officer in yellow hi-viz standing up at the front of the seating area.West Northamptonshire Council
The event involved almost 700 children who were 10 or 11 years old

A hard-hitting event for nearly 700 year six schoolchildren has tackled subjects like knife crime, gangs and online safety.

The Young Citizen's Scheme took place over two days in Northampton.

The programme included a play performed by pupils from Rushden about staying safe online.

Ch Insp Kim Jackson said the event would make a "real difference in creating a safer and more inclusive community".

The project, which took place at the Deco Theatre in Northampton, also covered fire and water safety, anti-social behaviour, rail safety and substance abuse.

During lunch, Year 11 pupils from Rushden Academy performed their play, "Add Me", which focused on the importance of staying safe online.

There was also a workshop on hate crime delivered by the West Northamptonshire Youth Partnership which focussed on discrimination and was inspired by their social media takeover day in August.

Ollie Conopo/BBC Red frontage to theatre building with six tall windows. Posters advertising events are visible to both sides. The legend over the doors says "The Old Savoy - Home of the Deco Theatre". There is a black railing and a traffic light outside the theatre.Ollie Conopo/BBC
The event took place in the Deco Theatre at the Old Savoy in Northampton

David Smith, West Northamptonshire Council's cabinet member for communities, said: "The partnerships and dedication of everyone involved have created an experience that will have a lasting impact on these young students."

Ch Insp Kim Jackson, from Northamptonshire Police, said the Youth Forum's "efforts in raising awareness make a real difference in creating a safer and more inclusive community".

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