2 - Youth project helping fight crime

 

Over the past few months the number of offences has fallen sharply on the Wren’s Nest estate.

 

Police have partly attributed the drop in crime to the Wrosne project, which will see a group of youngsters perform in a singing and dancing extravaganza underneath the caverns at Wren’s Nest.

 

Other factors which have helped reduce crime on the estate include police working in partnership with the council and off-licences to clamp down on underage drinking. A youth club and football sessions have also been set up at Castle High School.

 

Latest police figures show over the past 16 months crime has dropped by 33 per cent. In November 2006 there were 116 offences on the estate compared with 78 in March 2008.

Police also say over the past six months there have been 134 fewer victims of crime in the area.

 

More than 100 young people have been working on the Wrosne project for the past 12 months, which will culminate in a series of shows in July. It follows the success of the Ballet Hoo! project which was televised on Channel 4 in 2006.

 

Police have praised the Wrosne project for helping build on the talents of young people and engage them in community activities.

 

 

“We are delighted the Wrosne project is playing a part in reducing anti social behaviour amongst young people living in the Castle and Priory area.

 

“The young people who are involved in the project came to us with a whole range of issues including some who have been identified as at high risk of offending and others who are at risk of being victims of crime themselves.

 

“Through a personal development programme running alongside the work they’re doing on the show, the aim is to provide a focus, boost their confidence and give them a brighter future.

 

“I hope that this will encourage members of the public to come along and enjoy the spectacular show we have planned in the limestone mines.”

 

The Wrosne project is a singing and dancing extravaganza in the caverns underneath Wren’s Nest, performed by the young people from the Priory and Wren’s Nest estates. The performance is supported by Dudley Council and the Arts Council England.

 

The audience will be brought into the caverns on canal boats, catering for an audience of 100 people each time.

 

There will be two performances each evening for one week from July 21-25, featuring music, drama, singing, dance, special effects and storytelling. Masks representing the fossils found in the caves, which are being produced from the Glasshouse College in Stourbridge, will be worn by the performers.

 

Leaps & Bounds delivered the acclaimed Ballet Hoo! Project. This took a group of vulnerable young people through an 18 month programme of personal development and classical ballet training, televised in a four part Channel 4 documentary in 2006.

 

The Channel Four show documented the rise of the young people as they performed Romeo and Juliet with the Birmingham Royal Ballet at the Hippodrome in Birmingham.

 

Building on this success, Leaps & Bounds is developing new projects which also offer help and advice to young people in dealing with a range of problems.

 

 

“The Wrosne project is an excellent example of an innovative approach to community engagement. I wish to offer my congratulations to all taking part in the project and wish them every success for their forthcoming performances.

 

“The police are always happy to support initiatives that provide activities for young people.”