Free immersive urban theatre experience coming to Reading on the dangers of knife crime, drug dealing and youth exploitation

• Free performances take place at 12pm and 3pm on Saturday 12 October
• Show tackles dangers of drug dealing, gangs and knife crime
• Additional schools-only showing forms part of a wider Reading knife crime engagement and education programme

Reading's children, young people and their families will be able to see directly the risks to our youth from knife crime, drugs and exploitation at a free urban theatre show in Reading next week.

On Saturday 12 October two 40-minute performances of CODE, by urban theatre group Justice in Motion, will bring to life the vulnerability and dangers for young people getting involved with criminal gangs. Suitable for the whole family but aimed mainly at young people in Year 6 and above, the shows will take place at 12pm and 3pm at the John Madejski Academy in Hartland Road, Reading. Entry is free with no advance booking necessary.

This immersive production delves into the world of knife crime and county lines, where illegal drugs are transported from one area to another, often across police and local authority boundaries. Through a gripping narrative it explores how these groups latch on to, and can draw in, our young people too easily.

The performances will be brought to life by a talented group of urban sports professionals, including trial bike riders, parkour athletes and skateboarders, alongside physical theatre and dance performers and is set to live rap music. The performance has been developed through extensive research, inspired by true case studies, charity reports, and national initiatives aimed at tackling county lines.

The Reading Community Safety Partnership, Create Reading (Cultural Education Partnership), Brighter Futures for Children and Reading Borough Council through the Shared Prosperity Fund are sponsoring the event, which forms part of the Stay True to You campaign developed by the Thames Valley Violence Prevention Partnership.

The event's staging has seen input from Cultural Services and the Community Partnership Service, as well as the Police and Crime Commissioners Office. Visitors will also be able to browse stalls from Brighter Futures for Children, Dance Reading, Reading Rock Academy, Progress Theatre, N3W Angle, New Directions and Whitley Development Community Association.

Karen Rowland, Lead Councillor for Environmental Services and Community Safety at Reading Borough Council, said:

"I am so thrilled that we are able to bring Justice in Motion's CODE performance back to Reading this year. Last year's performance was some of the best and most eye-opening theatre, addressing real-life issues, I've seen in years. I cannot stress just how entertaining and impactful this theatre experience will be for young people and parents to see.

This free event is an opportunity to engage directly with the young people of Reading who we're hoping to reach and encourage to make the right choices if confronted with the pressures of the drug world and knife violence in their lives. It will be relevant and thought provoking for both parents and children, so please take advantage of these free shows which I promise will be eye-opening, entertaining and educational. I firmly believe that every young person in Reading needs to see this; it is just that important."

A "schools-only" showing of the production is also taking place on Friday 11 October as part of an engagement and education programme for Reading's young people about the dangers of involvement with gangs and knife crime.