Hollywood comes to Aylesbury
Archived press release
Date Published: 27/11/08
Segun Fawole and Sarah-Jayne Mason receive their certificates from PC Graham Brigginshaw and teacher Elaine Jovic.
Youngsters from Mandeville School in Aylesbury have played a starring role highlighting the dangers of anti-social behaviour on buses.
Aylesbury Vale District Council, Thames Valley Police and Arriva Bus Company commissioned a group of Year 11 students to produce a DVD entitled Fatal Distraction, aimed at teaching local youngsters about the cause and effect of their actions.
The DVD, which was filmed over the summer holidays with the help of the I-Van Multimedia ICT studio, highlights different types of misbehaviour on public buses.
The students wrote the script themselves and appeared as actors in the DVD, which is hard-hitting. In the film, a young girl is knocked down and killed by a bus after the driver becomes distracted by fighting youths.
The DVD was launched on 14 November at a special premiere event at Mandeville School and received praise from local dignitaries, teachers and students alike. Councillor Freda Roberts presented certificates and a framed disc to the youngsters involved in the project.
Thousands of students in Buckinghamshire and Arriva staff across the shires will view the DVD over the coming months.
The young people involved in the making of the film have since gone on to be volunteers on the I-Van project, filming coverage of the recent Paralympic handover event in Aylesbury and interviewing past and present Paralympians.
Councillor Pam Pearce, AVDC Cabinet Member for Community Matters, said: “The students did a superb job and we are very proud of the finished article. Most people enjoy safe and comfortable public transport but occasionally passengers and staff can be affected by crime and anti social behaviour on or near buses and bus stops. By showing young people the consequences of negative actions we hope to make bus travel in the Vale a safer and more comfortable experience.”
PC Graham Brigginshaw, Safer Schools Officer for Aylesbury Vale, said: “The group of students we worked with were a terrific bunch. It’s important that people realise that the vast majority of young people cause no problems whatsoever but sometimes they get involved with the wrong crowd and end up in trouble. Those getting influenced by troublemakers don’t realise what the consequences of their actions are and it is important that they learn to take responsibility early on.”
The DVD is available to view at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/community-living
For more information, contact AVDC’s community safety team on 01296 585061 or email mdeprez@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk