Liverpool project turns car crime into an art form

Scousers have for years been the butt of jokes that they have turned car theft into an art form.

Scousers have for years been the butt of jokes that they have turned car theft into an art form.

Now Liverpool is involving joyriders and other young car criminals in a drama project for all school children, which will form part of its bid to be named European Capital of Culture in 2008.

The project is based at the Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts, which was once Sir Paul McCartney's old school. It is an attempt to address an enduring social problem and stimulate creativity among young people. Last year, more than 2,000 people died in car-related incidents in Liverpool.

The Driving Ambition project involves children from six schools working on a range of pieces that had their premiere at the Paul McCartney Theatre yesterday.

Donna Jones, a drama teacher, said: "We have kids here who have owned up to dares such as lying in the road and knowing others who have actually died in car crashes and the play they have produced is a very powerful message."