Learning the consequences of crime

FIRE fighters visited two Warrington schools to teach youngsters about the causes, consequences and penalties of crime.
The Blue Watch team from Warrington Fire Station took part in the Crime Safety Awareness Days at William Beamont High School and Lysander High School, run by the Prison Me No Way trust.
The days include high impact workshops, role-plays and drama, to teach youngsters about the possible consequences of becoming involved in antisocial or criminal behaviour.
The Year 9 and Year 10 pupils visited by the trust and fire fighters on the special days are removed from their normal daily school cycle. They become isolated from other members of their peer group for the day and are treated like prisoners.
They participate in exercise and meal routines, and are escorted from workshop to workshop as “actual prisoners” when moving round a prison.
The day aims to give youngsters an insight into prison life and encourage them to respect the value of their freedom.
There were workshops on the fire service, impaired driving and drugs. They were shown the consequence of road accidents and the impact they have on the people involved and their families and friends – using powerful video clips and a drama scene.
John Turner, fire fighter of Blue Watch, said: “Throughout the workshop pupils where given the opportunity to interact with the scene being played out in front of them.
“With questions being asked and thoughts provoked pupils left the workshop with an understanding of the widespread and often devastating effects of the consequences of seemingly small actions taken, or not taken on a daily basis.”
Picture: firefighter lecturer in action.