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Young people show ‘Respect’ – West Berkshire

Tuesday 17 November 2009, 3:15pm

Thames Valley Police and its partners are holding a drama competition called ‘Respect’ at the Corn Exchange, Newbury on 24 November.

Following on from the success of similar competitions held in previous years, Year 9 pupils from all West Berkshire secondary schools were invited to take part in this year’s competition.

The pupils have been asked to deliver a play on self-respect, respecting family, friends and property, and the consequences of a lack of respect and how this can lead to criminal activity. The plays will cover themes such as bullying, peer pressure to commit crime, stealing and damaging property – and the effect this has on victims - plus risks to personal safety and well being.

Each school will perform their play to pupils at their school as well as to judges at the Corn Exchange. The plays will be judged by a panel consisting of police, trading standards officers, West Berkshire Council arts and leisure officers, and the Watermill theatre’s deputy outreach worker.

The competition prizes are:

  • First prize: £1,000.
  • Second prize: £600.
  • Third prize: £400.

Each of the competition entrants will receive £200.

Seven schools are taking part in the competition. These are: Trinity School, Kennet School, Park House School, Denefield School, Willink School, John O’Gaunt School, and The Downs School.

Romy Freiburghaus, crime prevention and reduction adviser for West Berkshire Local Police Area, said: “The drama competitions have proved very effective in recent years, allowing pupils to actively engage in the subject and express themselves.”

Hilary Cole, West Berkshire’s executive councillor for public protection, said: “With our colleagues from Thames Valley Police, we are approaching the problem of anti-social behaviour issues, and a lack of respect and good manners.

“We are approaching these issues from all angles, working with retailers, young people and the community. This is an excellent initiative, with young people producing plays to their peer group, on the consequences of a lack of respect, which will really get the message across.”

‘Respect’ is a West Berkshire campaign, funded by Safer Communities Partnership, West Berkshire Council Education, Trading Standards and West Berkshire Council Environmental Health.

Performances of the plays will commence at 11.00am, there will be a break at 1.00pm and the prize-giving will take place at 1.30pm.

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