Wider release for anti-crime youth movie

AFILM starring West Lancashire teenagers that warns young people about the dangers of getting involved in gang culture is to be shown in schools all over the county.

Crossing The Line shows the risks and consequences of joining organised crime gangs, and aims to discourage young people from getting involved in crime and gang culture.

The original idea for a film came after a meeting between West Lancashire Community Safety Partnership (WLCSP) and Det Supt Simon Giles, to discuss new, innovative ways of engaging with young people on these themes.

WLCSP commissioned the Artz Centre in Birch Green to script and produce the film, and funding was provided by the Office of the Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner.

The film has been shown to pupils in schools around West Lancashire over the past 12 months.

Now Lancashire police are planning to show it in schools in the rest of the county.

Approximately 1,500 pupils have received the education package during this academic year and they will continue to deliver the project in the next academic year through the Police Early Action Team to reach as many young people as possible.

Det Ch Supt Susannah Clarke from Lancashire police said: “It is vitally important that we seek to protect and support young people who are vulnerable to becoming involved with street gangs and organised criminality.

“The cast and crew of Crossing The Line can be very proud of what they have produced and the film has been very well received in schools across West Lancashire. “

She added: “We believe it will be a great success throughout the county and the important messages it contains will resonate with young people.”

Dave Tilleray, chairman of West Lancashire Community Safety Partnership, said: “We are very grateful to Mark Ashton and his talented team at the Artz Centre for producing an excellent tool for engaging young people on the dangers of organised crime.

“The team included a fantastic cast of young people from West Lancashire.”

Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “I am delighted that this film is going to be rolled out across the rest of the county after such positive responses in the local area and a youth event hosted in partnership with Lancashire Constabulary.

“One of my key priorities under the police and crime plan is stopping people getting involved in crime and we know that this prevention work has most impact when we engage with people early on.”