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Mock county lines alleyway set up to warn teens

BBC There is a wall that has graffiti on it with the word "read" in orange, red and yellow which is underlined with a blue and purple line. There is also a cardboard cut out of someone in a hoodie with the hood up. There is also a shopping trolley that has been cut in half and stuck to the wall containing spray paint bottles. BBC
Young people from the local community were invited to graffiti the walls in the alley at SkillZone

A mock "county lines alleyway" has been created to help young people learn to keep themselves safe.

The alley is used for the pretend distribution of "suspicious packages", with an operation led by a boy, who is initially charming but wants to trap teenagers into becoming couriers for ruthless drugs gangs.

It is among real-life scenarios at the educational facility SkillZone in Gloucester and is the first of its kind in the South West, said the county's Police and Crime Commissioner, Chris Nelson.

He said was important to "educate the young and vulnerable, to keep them safe from the influence of these evil gangs".

Lewis Whitter is stood in front of a graffiti covered wall. He is looking at the camera and wearing a black t-shirt with a blue lanyard around his neck and a name badge on.
Lewis Whitter set-up the real life scenario based on his experience growing up in Gloucester

The aim is to "target the growing threat to vulnerable youngsters of being enlisted by organised crime gangs to deliver drugs across county borders," according to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire (OPCC).

The scenario, which is housed in the fire station in Lower Tuffley, has been set-up and run by Lewis Whitter, serious violence project and evaluation lead at Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service.

The project is funded through the government’s Serious Violence Duty.

Growing up in Gloucester, Mr Whitter said he was "heavily influenced by culture, by county lines, drugs, violence and youth violence" which means he can share his personal experience with young people who come to Skillzone.

"I wouldn’t say I was a perpetrator nor a victim, just a witness. And that kind of spring-boarded me into the career path I’ve taken," he said.

He believes Skillzone would have allowed him "to take a step back" and look at his social dynamic.

Mr Whitter added: "there was nothing like this when I was growing up, I am glad I can give them what I never had".

There is a wall which is made up of large photos of local inspirational figures including footballer Eric Dier, cricket player Alister cook and actor Simon Pegg. There are also large brightly colour circles around each of the images.
The first part of the alley celebrates local inspirational figures

Pictures of inspirational people from the county are displayed on the wall at the start of the alleyway.

Mr Whitter said he chose people from all different backgrounds, races and cultures so every child could find someone a "source of inspiration" for them.

The scenario then continues, where the students meet a character called Sam who asks them to deliver a "package". Lewis said this "highlights how easy it is to get trapped into becoming couriers for drug gangs".

Bringing the scene alive with video, lights and graffitied walls offered an "alternative learning style that becomes an experience that most young people react really well to".

Since it opened in October, more than 70 children from around the county have come through the project.

Mr Nelson said he hoped "many schools, colleges and other learning establishments will take advantage of this excellent facility”.

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