'Shakespeare helps us learn about knife crime'

Pupils taking part in a programme using Shakespeare to combat knife crime say being able to act out and "almost experience it" helps them to understand its effects.

Schools in Surrey have been taking part in an initiative in which pupils act out scenes from Romeo and Juliet involving stabbings and killings.

Children taking part in the scheme, backed by Surrey Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner, said acting out the scenes was "much more effective" than learning through assemblies.

Elle, who acted out some of the scenes at Kings International College in Camberley, said: "It's really made me think about how other people might feel in these situations."

Harry, who was also involved in the production, added: "This way is much more effective, you get to experience and almost feel what it's like for it to happen."

Guildford Shakespeare Company, which runs the Put Up Your Swords workshops, gets Year 9 students to act out a scene from Romeo and Juliet where Mercutio and Tybalt are killed in a knife fight.

Departing from Shakespeare's tragedy, Romeo instead stands trial for the knife attack, which Rob Cann from the theatre says helps pupils to think about what could have been done differently.

The play is then acted out to other pupils at the school, in a bid to share what they have learned about the effects of knife crime.

The scheme will now be rolled out to other schools in Surrey, as well as in Hampshire.

Lisa Townsend, Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner, said: "They are learning about Shakespeare but also they are applying it in a way that matters to them.

"We tackle knife crime by making sure people have the facts and they know how to keep themselves safe."

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