South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue has launched a new interactive drama to demonstrate the consequences of arson to youngsters across the county.

Around 6,200 Year 10 students from South Yorkshire will benefit from the five-week initiative, which involves the use of theatrical scenarios and interactive workshops to make them more aware of the damage that can be done by starting fires.

A team of drama professionals from a West Yorkshire based company, CragRats, are delivering the programme across 31 schools in Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and Barnsley.

In each school they will perform a piece of theatre called ‘Backfire’, in which three characters – Paul, Mozza and Kali – have to deal with the devastating consequences of ‘fooling around’ with fire on Mischief Night.

The performance is then followed by interactive workshops in which the young people explore some of the issues surrounding arson and antisocial behaviour in more depth.  The facilitators tackle serious issues including verbal abuse and violence towards fire crews, and dispel notions that arson is a victimless crime by highlighting the effects on both the community and individuals.

CragRats script writer Paul Forster said:  “By going directly into schools with a message that really hits home, we get the attention of young people and encourage them to re-think their attitudes towards arson.”

Jamie Courtney, Head of Prevention & Protection at South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, said: “Drama is an extremely powerful medium and the young people who have watched the play so far have found it very hard-hitting.  This is just one of the ways in which we’re engaging with young people at this time of year, when the temptation to get up to mischief is even greater than usual.  Our aim is for everyone, including young people, to have a good time this Halloween and Bonfire Night, while staying safe.”

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NOTES TO EDITORS
For more information or to arrange to attend a performance please contact Gwen Evans at CragRats on 01484 686451, 07968 442059 or gwen@cragrats.com.

Alternatively, please contact Katie Sedgwick in SYFR Corporate Communications on 0114 253 2353.

CragRats are learning and training experts, based in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire.  Their clients include Asda, BT, BAE Systems, Diageo, Rok Group, Aimhigher, the NHS, numerous councils and the LEA’s.

Their techniques include interactive workshops, coaching, e-learning, media and live-theatrical scenarios.  By understanding how and why people do what they do, they challenge attitudes, and change behaviours and cultures.

CragRats has won numerous awards including:
· A National Training Award - 2007
· Management Today/Unisys Service Excellence Awards ‘06 (B2B)
· Top 40 place in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For 2006

To find out more please log on to www.cragrats.com