More than 800 school pupils from across Tendring received vital safety education as the Young Persons Crucial Crew initiative returned to Clacton’s Princes Theatre this November.
Organised by Tendring District Council (TDC) and the Tendring Community Safety Partnership (TCSP), the event ran over seven days and welcomed 838 children from local schools to take part in a series of interactive sessions focused on youth safety and crime prevention.
Central to this year’s programme was the return of It’s About Your Son, a powerful play performed by Little Two Theatre Company.
Written by EastEnders screenwriter Deborah Cook, the production explored the impact of knife crime and serious violence through the lens of three characters affected by a tragic incident involving two teenagers.
Originally developed as part of a multi-disciplinary arts project in Colchester to coincide with the visit of the Knife Angel – a 20ft sculpture created entirely from seized blades – the play highlighted themes of grief, loss, and the ripple effects of knife crime on families and communities.
Split into two short acts, the performance was followed by an interactive workshop where students engaged in discussion and role-play with the cast, encouraging open conversations around the issues raised.
Councillor Peter Kotz, TDC’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said:
"The Crucial Crew event continues to be a vital opportunity for our young people to gain essential safety knowledge in an engaging and memorable way.
"By working with our partners, we were able to deliver powerful messages that not only raised awareness but also empowered students to make safe choices and seek support when needed."
Alistair Ward, Director of Little Two Theatre Company, added:
"We hope this production left students and staff feeling confident to talk about knife crime – an issue that young people have told us is a real concern – and to reach out for help if they ever need it."
To help schools prepare, short preview videos of the play were shared in advance. Due to the sensitive nature of the content, schools were advised to support students who may have been affected by the themes, ensuring they felt safe and comfortable during the sessions.
The Young Persons Crucial Crew remains a cornerstone of community safety education in Tendring, helping to equip the next generation with the tools and knowledge to stay safe and make informed choices.
