A series of dramatic performances raising awareness of the issues facing young people face were held in schools across Croydon earlier this month.

Terriers project, a drama production devised and produced by the Royal Court Liverpool Trust and Merseyside Police, returned to Croydon for the first time since 2014 with string of free shows across the borough.

The Croydon Partnership teamed up with prominent local community activist, Bushra Ahmed, who leads West Croydon Voice, to bring the initiative, which uses drama and role play to help young people address some of the important and life affecting issue they face growing up, to the borough.

Bushra Ahmed, West Croydon Voice, said: “I am pleased and proud of the way so many Croydon organisations have been able to work together to bring the Terriers Tour back to Croydon, to benefit our young people who deal with the issues covered in this powerful and hard-hitting acclaimed play on a day to day basis.

"If we can prevent one child from going to prison or losing their life this effort will have been worthwhile.”

The Terriers project stages performances in secondary schools, community centres, colleges and youth centres across the UK.

Performed by six professional actors, the play focused on the life of a young sportsman who becomes involved with a local gang.

Using interactive audience engagement to bring the story to life, the play addresses challenges and moral dilemmas facing young people today, such as how peer pressure leads to involvement in gang and drug culture, crime and bullying.

The play was performed at Harris Invictus School, Virgo Fidelis, John Ruskin College and Lives Not Knives.