Young people in North Liverpool use theatre to tackle County Lines and knife crime through EVOLVE funded project
13.07.26 - Merseyside
AN EVOLVE-funded project has helped young people from North Liverpool create and perform powerful plays highlighting the dangers of county lines, gang involvement and knife crime.
Unistar Youth’s Between the Lines project culminated in a moving performance at The Liverpool Lighthouse in Anfield on Monday (July 6), following 10 months of workshops involving more than 80 young people aged 10 to16 from Everton, Vauxhall, Anfield, Tuebrook and Clubmoor.
The project was supported by £5,000 from EVOLVE Everton-Vauxhall’s participatory budgeting programme and more than £3,000 from Spirit of Shankly.
It gave participants the opportunity to explore the causes and consequences of criminal exploitation while promoting the importance of community, belonging and safe spaces.
EVOLVE is Merseyside’s response to the Home Office’s Clear, Hold, Build strategy which brings together police, councils and partners to reduce serious and organised crime through enforcement, prevention and long-term investment in communities that have been affected by criminality. There are four EVOLVE areas across Merseyside.
Featuring performances from Evolve Youth Theatre, North Liverpool Academy and An Hour for Others, the evening showcased original productions created by the young people, focusing on county lines, knife crime and how communities can help keep them safe.
Katie Heywood, co-founder of Unistar Youth, said: “All ideas originated from the young people as they explored characters, choices, and consequences.
“The plays highlighted issues such as social cohesion, gaslighting, and the tactics gangs use to influence young people.
“They also addressed how young people become vulnerable and what we can do as a community to empower them and keep them safe.
“This project has been incredibly meaningful. The young people have been a pleasure to work with over the last 10 months, contributing their own ideas and working hard to create such powerful and educational performances. I could not be more proud of what they have achieved together.
“One pupil described the experience as ‘life-changing’.”
She added: “Over the past 10 months, Unistar worked closely with North Liverpool Academy, An Hour for Others, and a new youth theatre called Evolve, which was established through EVOLVE funding.
“It is also supported by our partners, Spirit of Shankly, who continue to fund the free youth theatre in Anfield to provide a consistent safe space.”
The EVOLVE funding was awarded at a participatory budget event organised by Merseyside Police and Liverpool City Council at North Liverpool Academy last April.
Community organisations bid for a share of a £50,000 funding pot provided by Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner from cash and assets seized from convicted criminals.
Pupils from North Liverpool Academy voted to decide which 10 projects would receive funding to help tackle serious and organised crime while strengthening community resilience.
Inspector Chris Taylor, one of the senior officers involved in EVOLVE Everton-Vauxhall, said: “While we have made significant progress in clearing criminality from the area and preventing others from filling the void community engagement and youth-focused projects like Between the Lines are a vital part of building long-term resilience against crime.
“Young people have a crucial role in breaking the cycle of criminality and it is fantastic to see Between the Lines delivering such powerful and thought-provoking performances after being selected for funding by pupils at North Liverpool Academy.”
Between the Lines reflects EVOLVE’s wider approach, combining enforcement with prevention and community-led initiatives.
Creative initiatives, including drama and spoken-word projects such as Dear Merseyside, are being used across EVOLVE areas to educate young people about exploitation, gang culture and knife crime while providing positive opportunities and trusted spaces.
Merseyside Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: "This demonstrates the incredible difference that can be made when we invest in our young people and give them the opportunity to have their voices heard.
"Across our EVOLVE areas, we are working with communities to create positive opportunities that help steer young people away from serious violence, criminal exploitation and organised crime, while building confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging.
"We have seen encouraging reductions in organised crime and its impact within our EVOLVE communities, but enforcement alone is never enough.
"Lasting change happens when local people, schools, youth organisations and partners come together to create safer environments and provide young people with positive alternatives. The success of this project is a powerful example of that community-led approach in action."
"The young people involved should be extremely proud of what they have achieved. Their performances have placed important issues affecting their communities in the spotlight while delivering messages that will resonate with their peers.
“By continuing to invest in grassroots projects like this, we can build on the strong foundations already in place and create safer, stronger futures for the next generation across Merseyside."
Councillor Laura Robertson-Collins, Cabinet Member for Communities, Neighbourhoods and Streetscene at Liverpool City Council, added: "This is a fantastic example of our young people using their creativity to tell authentic stories of the real-life consequences of getting involved in criminality.
“It is far more powerful and effective than any message that adults could deliver. This is one example of the grassroots work taking place to tackle the root causes of serious violence, so that residents of all ages can go about their lives without fear of crime."
A spokesperson from the Spirit of Shankly said: “We were pleased to help with the production with the help of funding from EVOLVE.
“There is so much talent and creativity in the Anfield area and it was great to see such a wonderful performance.
“Unistar are opening up doors for so many local youngsters and we are proud to support that work.”