A group of Stoke teenagers, being supported by the crime reduction charity Nacro, will today unveil a music video warning young people about anti-social behaviour in Stoke on Trent.

The group of nine made the film as part of the Nacro ‘Moves’ project, which helps young people who are having problems at school or have been excluded. The group of 14 to 17 years-olds wrote and recorded their own song with £2,000 provided by Robbie Williams through his ‘Give it Sum’ fund.

After recording the song, they made a video featuring finger puppets to tell the story. They even got a helping hand from Robbie’s cousin Chris Stone. The filmmaker spent a day with the group and edited the final piece together.

The four minute film shows how easy it is to get caught up in anti-social behaviour, drug dealing and violence.

Nacro project worker Elaine Pollard says: “It’s a really creative piece of work and I’m so proud of all the kids involved. It’s entertaining, but at the same time it manages to get across a really serious message about the consequences of crime. I’m sure Robbie would approve!”

The video will form part of an exhibition opening today at Burslem School of Art, which features a range of similar projects co-ordinated by local arts organisation The Cultural Sisters.

Sixteen year-old Chantelle Yates is part of the group who made the video. She says: “I really struggled at school, so I started coming to Nacro for two days a week during my GCSE’s. It’s really helped me build my confidence and skills. We came up with all the ideas ourselves and did everything from script writing, to puppet making and filming.”

“We chose the theme of ASBOs because it’s something that affects teenagers. As young people ourselves we understand how easy it can be to go down the wrong track. We want to reach out to teenagers, and get them think before they act.”

“I’ve now moved on to another project and I’m hoping to go to college. I feel like I’ve achieved so much and my head teacher even rang Nacro recently to say how proud she is of what I’ve achieved. She said if it wasn’t for Nacro Moves, I never would have done so well at school.”

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If you would like to arrange an interview with Chantelle or attend the event, please contact Rachel Whitehead, Nacro Media and Communications Officer on 0207 840 7218 or 07528970900 rachel.whitehead@nacro.org.uk

The exhibition will open from 4pm on Monday 21st September at Burslem School of Art, Stoke on Trent, Queen street, Burslem, Stoke on Trent, ST6 3EJ.