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UK: Northholt High wins first London Criminal Justice Board 'Inside Justice Week' song competition

/noticias.info/ Issued by GNN on behalf of the London Criminal Justice Board

The London Criminal Justice Board has announced that pupils from Northolt High School in Ealing, have won the first ever 'Inside Justice Week' song competition.

The prize for 'Street Souls', a group of Year 11 GCSE music students has been to record the song 'Who's to Say' professionally in a studio. The track will be available widely as a digital download from 26th September 2007, through i-Tunes, eMusic, HMV digital, Virgin digital, Yahoo, MSN and Napster. All money raised from downloads of the track will go to the school and their chosen charities.

The competition was launched last year to all schools in London, asking them to write a song on 'Report and Support', themed on the importance of reporting crime, and supporting friends if they become a victim of crime. The song is now an important element of 'Inside Justice Week', an annual week of events in London and across the country, which invites the public behind the scenes of the Criminal Justice System.

Andrew Morley, Chief Executive, London Criminal Justice Board said:

"This is the first time we have run a song competition across all secondary schools in London as part of 'Inside Justice Week', as creating music is a good way to get young people involved in events. We had some excellent entries and initially seven finalists, but the song from Northolt High was excellent and judged the overall winning entry.

He continued: "The criminal justice service has had to respond to some tragic incidents of youth crime in recent months, but it is important to remember that the perpetrators of these events are not representative of young people. The vast majority of young Londoners are decent and responsible members of our communities, working hard to achieve their ambitions and aspirations. We are proud of Northolt Highs' achievements, and would encourage other young Londoners not to allow themselves or their generation to be defined by abhorrent criminal activity. "


Clare Hanna, the Head of Music at Northolt High said:

"Street Souls are ecstatic to be the first London winners of the 'Inside Justice Week' song competition, and I and the rest of Northolt High are very pleased with their achievements.

She continued: "The song works well because the group that created it are really talented lyricists, and there is real emotion running through their message. The track is also tuneful and melodic, created with different cultural influences and musical styles, including R&B, rap and Irish folk."


Karis Barrow, from 'Street Souls' said:

"Street Souls entered the competition because it is important to report crime, and we are extremely happy to have won. If something happened to someone in my family, I wouldn't like a witness not to come forward. I think people of our age are worried to report things. But if you tell someone what you've seen, you're trying to do what is right.

She continued: "I know that only the really extreme incidents are put on television, but my friends and I feel that serious crime is not just something that happens once in a while - it is happening every day. I feel that the person who has done the crime will get a sentence, but it is the victim who gets a life sentence. People need take crime seriously and step up to do something."


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Notes to Editors


1. Northolt High School is in Eastcote Lane, Northolt. UB5 4HP. http://www.northolthigh.org.uk


2. Inside Justice Week is an annual event, which is taking place in London this year from 3rd to the 10th of November 2007. This provides the public with the chance to take a look behind the scenes of the Criminal Justice System in England and Wales. There are events taking place in London and across the country, to show how justice is done in our police stations, courts and prisons.To find out more go to http://lcjb.cjsonline.gov.uk/London/home

3. The competition was co-judged by Dru Sharpling, Chief Crown Prosecutor for London and Steve Williams, Head of Chapel Studios in Wimbledon.

4. Dru Sharpling said: "It's an absolutely fantastic song. It's going to be played everywhere - and it has a very big message as well."

5. The 'Inside Justice Week' song competition has become such a success, it will be repeated this year with entries to be judged during inside justice week 2007.

6. Further quotes from 'Street Souls' band members:


Gemma Steer, 15 said: "If it was really serious crime I would report it straight. I'd probably be frightened speaking out but it's best to do the right thing and it helps that my friends feel the same way. We'd support each other."


She continued: "First, we heard we were in the top 7, and then I heard that we had won. I asked Miss, 'Can I run out to Sawy's class?' and I ran out of my class over to hers and knocked on her classroom door and said, guess what Sawy - we won, we won. We were screaming and all sorts."
Karis Barrow, 15 said: "Gemma ran into the class room screaming that we were in the finals, I didn't know what to say - it took a while to sink in. Then when we heard we had won ...it was really a nice surprise to find out that we had won something."


Sawy Mendes, 15 yrs said: "Stop violence. My friends and I are completely against crime, especially youth crime. We are aware of it happening around us and can relate to the pain and suffering it causes - kids who are assaulted and even killed. It is such a waste and makes us think and that we take life too much for granted."


Mesura James,15 yrs said: "Crime doesn't solve anything. Surely people can resolve their arguments without fighting or even killing each other. They should just talk to each other and sort it out. It would be tough for me to report a crime if I knew the person who did it but I would because it's for their own safety. I feel it would be my responsibility to make sure no-one gets hurt."

Tsungi Maruta,15 yrs said: "I'd tell teenagers to stop dropping out of school and being violent because at the end of the day that's not helping them. They need to get some education 'cause later on in life they can't do anything without it." notas_de_prensa_archivo