Students from across Thames Valley have been given a stark warning about the danger of carrying knives and becoming involved in gangs.

The message was given in a performance of Boy X by the Arc Theatre group during a two-week tour of 12 schools and clubs in Oxford, Milton Keynes, Reading, High Wycombe and Slough.

Thousands of pupils took time to see the play and participate in a workshop afterwards, in which they discussed the reasons behind why some young people get involved in gangs and youth violence.

The issues explored will be followed up by a series of local events and operations aimed at cutting violent crime among 13–24 year-olds in these areas.

Robin Gardner, the tackling knife crime co-ordinator for Thames Valley Police, said: “We are grateful to all the schools and clubs who enabled the production to be performed to their young people. This is yet another way that the serious messages linked to knife crime and serious youth violence can be presented and explored in depth by the young people themselves”.

Katie Royle, lead teacher in citizenship, Physical Health and Social Education and Religious Education at the John Madejski Academy in Reading said: “The visit by the Arc Theatre group was a massive success with our pupils.

“The response from the students has been overwhelmingly positive and students have spoken not only about the entertainment the group offered, but also the messages behind it.

“Students have said how emotive the storyline was, and how it makes them realise the full impact of knife crime, rather than just a singular death. All of our students that attended the event gained a massive amount from it, both in enjoyment and awareness.”

The work is funded through of the Home Office Tackling Knives and Serious Youth Violence Action Programme (TKAPII). Thames Valley is one of 14 forces chosen to take part.