Accolade for crime fighting theatre kids

A TALENTED youth theatre group which formed to spread an anti-knife crime message in the wake of a fatal stabbing have won a prestigious award.

Trick or Treat, which is based at CAPA (Cathedral Academy of Performing Arts) in Wakefield, won a Philip Lawrence Award for their work raising awareness of the problems caused by gang-related crime.

The awards ceremony, presented by Sir Trevor McDonald, are held in memory of head teacher Philip Lawrence, who has murdered outside his school in 1995, and recognise the amazing difference young people make to their communities.

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Over 200 nominations were received this year, 35 were short-listed and just nine took away awards.

Trick or Treat was set up two years ago in memory of 17-year-old Ahmed Hassan, a teenager from Batley who was stabbed to death at Dewsbury Railway Station.

The group have toured schools in South and West Yorkshire, teaching young people about the dangers of knife crime.

Arts development co-ordinator at CAPA, Sarah Fitzpatrick, said: “We were quite shocked when we found out we’d won.

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“The group was all down to the students – when they heard what had happened to Ahmed Hassan they wanted to do something to raise awareness about the dangers of knives. We toured a lot of schools and are planning on touring again next year.

“We see knife crime on the news all the time so it’s still very relevant.”

Trick or Treat has a cast of 15 to 17-year-olds. Each visit includes a performance of a specially-written, hard-hitting play, set at a train station, followed by a workshop.

Miss Fitzpatrick said: “The students couldn’t believe that they’d won. They feel as though their message is being heard.

“It’s a massive honour.”

Trick or Treat receive a £500 prize and will make a film about the project.

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