Underage drinking - Schools presentations, Reigate and Banstead

Underage drinking and issues of youth disorder are known to be closely linked. Surrey Crimestoppers, working closely with Surrey Police, designed a major two part campaign targeting both those who buy alcohol for or sell alcohol to under 18s and also the young people themselves.

The campaign was supported by Legal & General and the Surrey County Council Local Committee (Reigate and Banstead).

With help from Nicky Clarke the Youth Intervention Sgt. for the Borough, and Bigfoot, a theatre production company, over 1500 year 9 and 10 pupils in 8 schools saw the presentation and received branded give-aways and promotional material to take away with them.

The presentation focused on underage drinking and how it can lead to criminal and anti social behaviour. Working together we identified three key messages:

• Underage drinking can lead to crime and anti-social behaviour
• Having a criminal record can seriously harm your future life/career
• Through Crimestoppers you can stand up against crime without saying who you are

The bespoke presentations revolved around three actors playing the part of three 15 year olds, Liam, Simone and Danielle. The play was set in the local park, outside a supermarket and then looked at the consequences when the characters are 18 years old via monologues. The play was followed by a 20-25 minutes forum/workshop that involved the students thinking about what could have been done, and when, to change the outcomes.

• The immediate response to the presentation was very positive from pupils and teachers alike the overall reaction being that it was hard hitting, thought provoking and informative
• Pupil and teacher feedback forms were left at all the schools and a full review will take place when they have been returned
• The campaign message reached a wider audience beyond the schools through media coverage received. Mercury Radio interviewed pupils who had seen the presentation, the actors and a Surrey Crimestoppers representative and played bits of these interviews at different times during their news programme on the day after the first presentation
• Information about the campaign reached a wide range of those potentially interested in using it in their own areas. Approximately 80 invitations to the showcase event were sent out, as well as a press/photo opportunity invitation to local media. Twenty-four guests attended and the Surrey Mirror sent along a photographer
• All guests who attended the showcase event have been asked for feedback. At the time the overall response was extremely positive and three areas have shown an interest in having the presentation in their local schools

“The actors' skills were of a high standard..... I am sure many were stimulated into thinking about the consequences of drinking alcohol and anti social behaviour.”

“I was incredibly impressed by the presentation. It was much more interactive than I was expecting, and the majority of pupils seemed to be fully engaged with the scenarios. The way that they used the same storyline in three different formats served to underline the key messages at several points, especially that you do have choices. The pupils also seemed to remember these lessons when the actors moved from one format to the next. From the Crimestoppers point of view I think that most of the pupils were not previously aware of its existence, and so the profile was definitely raised. I would not hesitate to recommend the presentation to all schools.”

• Our supporters' logos as always were included on campaign part two promotional material and their support was fully acknowledged in the showcase event invitations, the press invitation and press release