SCHOOKIDS in Wakefield were due to learn that crime doesn’t pay today.

Cathedral High School pupils were taking part in a Crime and Safety Awareness Day organised by the charity Prison Me No-Way!!

The Year 9 pupils were due to experience six different workshops during the course of the day to encourage them to think about crime and the consequences.

The workshops include visits from people who have experienced prison life and will talk about their time behind bars and the effect it had on them and their families.

The topic of drugs is the focus of an interactive workshop by Prison Officer Alan Blocksidge about the effects drugs have on people and their families as well as the effect they have on people who are in jail.

Another workshop sees students get involved in acting out a drama that portrays anti-social behaviour and the effect it has on the victims and communities.

Consequences

The mobile phone company O2 also has an input into the day to make students aware of safety issues surrounding mobile phones and how they work with West Yorkshire Police to tackle hoax calls.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service will also be attending to give a workshop discussing arson and its consequences.

Students will also have the opportunity to visit the Cell Van, which is provided by the Prison Officers.

It is a replica of a prison cell and will let the schoolkids experience what being locked up is like.

It is also fitted out with real prison furniture.

Schools Liaison Officer PC Angie Lister is one of the trustees of the Prison Me No-Way!! charity and has organised the day.

She said: “The day itself is one that the charity replicates in schools all over the UK to encourage young people to think about crime and its consequences.

“The whole day is a unique learning experience for students.

“We hope that they will think twice about getting involved in some sort of criminal activity that could affect the rest of their lives.”

mark.lavery@ypn.co.uk