VIOLENT crime and gang culture are the themes of a drama which tackled young people’s views.
Pupils at Paddock’s Royds Hall and Honley high schools watched the production Pact, which explores ‘snitching’ and the risks of staying silent about crime.
They were joined by pupils at Longley High School, Kirklees Youth Offending Team and Kirklees College to watch London theatre group Arc perform the play which focuses on the dilemma of a teenager who witnesses a murder and knows those responsible.
The play was commissioned by British Transport Police (BTP) and acting Chief Inspector Tom Naughton said: “Through its powerful message, Pact is designed to help young people understand the risks and implications of staying silent about serious crime.
“We hope our work with Arc can help us get closer to young people and explain how the police can help. Equally, we hope it will help us better understand their point of view.”
The pupils watched the performance at the Brian Jackson Centre, Huddersfield.
Inspector Adrian Waugh, of the Huddersfield South neighbourhood policing team, added: “Thankfully, serious incidents like this one the play is based around are rare, but the hard-hitting messages it sends out should make every youngster who sees Pact pay attention”.
