Performers use play to combat 'county lines' crime

A threatre group is exploring the issue of county lines drug trade at an outdoor show in Peterborough

Teenagers at a further education college are to watch a theatre group's sporty exploration of how modern county lines drug gangs exploit youngsters.

The outdoor production called "CODE" features parkour and bike stunt and has been brought to Peterborough College by the city's Jumped UpTheatre.

The college is hosting a performance by Oxford-based theatre company Justice in Motion.

Jumped Up said the performance on Wednesday would tell how modern drug dealers "use children and organise drug distribution across county boundaries".

Justice in Motion describes CODE as "urban odyssey into county lines and knife crime"

A Jumped Up spokeswoman said: "CODE uses physical choreography with highly-skilled parkour athletes and bike stunts... to tell a story of how modern drug dealers use children to operate, and how mobile phones are used to organise drug distribution across local authority boundaries in a practice called ‘County Lines’.

"The result is a mesmerising piece of theatre that won’t be forgotten quickly.

"CODE aims to raise awareness by demonstrating the tell-tale signs of youth exploitation and informing audiences, families, carers and educators how to spot when there may be something going on."

Kate Hall, creative producer at Jumped Up, added: "From our early conversations with Justice in Motion about the show, to speaking with the local police force we know how relevant the issues being explored in this show are for Peterborough and its young people today."

Justice in Motion actors are performing at Peterborough College