Arson About

Arson About by Mark Wheeller is a play which aims to deter arson attacks and is performed by Stopwatch Theatre. School buildings are at risk from arson, and the play describes a typical incident which culminates in tragedy. The complete package lasts 75 minutes and is targeted at Year 8.

Since its launch in February 2005, Arson About has already been used by 11 of England's 46 Fire and Rescue Services. An evaluation by Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service concluded that:

Overall, the increase in the young persons' knowledge about arson, its causes and consequences between the pre- and post- surveys was statistically significant.

Arson About is provided FREE to schools by the West Midlands Arson Task Force and Crime Reduction partners and is a 75 minute theatre-in-education programme for Year 8 students, comprising a 45 minute play and a 30 minute workshop and is performed at school so no transport costs.

The workshop explains:

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What arson is and why it is a problem
What are the consequences for perpetrators
What are the consequences for victims and the community
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The play demonstrates that ""a bit of fun"" with fire can easily escalate into a tragedy. The workshop develops the audiences understanding of the crime of arson and why it is such a problem, and looks at the consequences on victims, perpetrators and the community at large.

The West Midlands Arson Task Force and partners are proud to announce we have arranged two one-week tours of Arson About, the first presentations in the West Midlands.

The 2008 tour is being in partnership with the West Midlands Arson Reduction Team with shows at secondary schools all over the West Midlands region.

7 - 11 July

Venues will be confirmed in the near future.