In partnership with Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit and Meerkat Films, Northern Stage created an important, hard-hitting short film raising awareness around the transportation and selling of illegal drugs across areas in the UK.
Kenton School group photo of students
What is County Lines?
County Lines is a term used to describe the act of transporting illegal drugs from one area to another and is a form of criminal exploitation. Sadly, it often involves the exploitation of young people who may be befriended by criminals and manipulated into dealing drugs.
The Project
Commissioned by the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), Northern Stage collaborated with Meerkat Films to produce a short film around County Lines that could help educate young people, parents, staff, and professionals working with children to protect them from involvement and harm from this criminal movement. The VRU has already been sharing the video and educating pupils in secondary schools in the region and across the country to help spread awareness. By raising awareness on this topic, the project empowers communities to spot the early warning signs and equip them with the tools to seek support.
Casting local actors with regional accents was an important element in giving the film relatability so that it would resonate with young people. A local secondary school, Kenton School, was used as a shooting location to create authenticity. Pupils from the school featured as extras, many debuting in a film for the first time. Students worked together to bring the story’s message to life, as they learned of the County Lines dangers themselves.
“Whenever we share resources like this, we make a real difference and potentially save lives. So please watch this film and keep sharing it far and wide. Together we are creating safer streets, and stronger communities for everyone.”- Susan Dungworth, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner
Using the Arts as a Tool for Change
Jeremy Woodhouse, Head of Producing at Northern Stage talking about Northern Stage’s journey with the making of the County Lines film and the impact of art at Kenton School.
At Northern Stage, we believe in the power of the arts in driving positive change in our world. Storytelling, whether it be for the stage, screen, audio, or written word, has the ability to help us to navigate the world around us; art can shed light on important issues, allow us to express ourselves and make sense of difficult subjects.
The County Lines educational film offers a visual representation for such a complex and serious issue that society faces. It exhibits how art tackles important topics by presenting them through the screen, making them more accessible, engaging, and memorable.
It was an honour to be a part of a project that carries the potential to safeguard young and vulnerable people in our communities who may be at risk of exploitation.
“[The County Lines Film] perfectly demonstrates the power of arts and creativity to reach young people and communicate important issues in an accessible and impactful way.” – Amy Fawdington, Deputy Executive Director at Northern Stage
As a charity, we understand the power art and theatre holds to bring people together in extraordinary ways to imagine, explore and shape the future collaboratively. We work closely with young people, communities, partners, and artists in the region to make and share great theatre, and to create opportunities for those who are underrepresented in the industry or who may not otherwise be able to engage with the arts.
Check out our Support Us page to see how you can help us to continue using theatre as a force for positive change in the world.
Spreading Awareness
Pictured at the County Lines Short Film Launch, from left to right: actor Harris Miller, actor Annie Edwards, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth, Director Katja Roberts, Deputy Executive Director at Northern Stage Amy Fawdington, and actor Maya Torres.
Since premiering at Northern Stage in March 2025, the film has continued to be celebrated as an educational resource and has already had over 4.7k views on Youtube.
In May, pupils gathered together for a special screening of the short film at Kenton School, where they saw the project they dedicated their time to come to life. Guest speakers included: Kerry Leask, VRU Education Officer, who provided an overview of the dangers associated with County Lines; Susan Dungworth, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, who introduced the film; Jeremy Woodhouse, Head of Producing at Northern Stage, who talked about our involvement with the making of the film; Marcus Heslop, Drama Teacher at Kenton School, who organised the event and supported students throughout the project; and pupils from Kenton School who acted as extras in the film to share their experience.
Also in attendance was Katja Roberts, Director of the film, and Stephanie Maughan, Participation Coordinator at Northern Stage who supported the coordination of the project.The screening was a moment for reflection on the project and acknowledgment of how together, we can make an impact.
Most recently, Kenton pupils featured on BBC Look North on 29 May, as they were interviewed about their involvement with the film, and the important message it delivers.
Watch the County Lines Short Film Here
Please note that this film contains themes of drugs, child exploitation and abuse that some audiences may find upsetting.
Our Partnership with the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit
“This is the third film we’ve developed with Northern Stage and Meerkat Films, and like their work on our Joint Enterprise resources, it’s just as gripping and true to life.” – Susan Dungworth, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner
Northern Stage has enjoyed an ongoing relationship with the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit and Meerkat Films in order to spread awareness and educate young people in the North East and beyond. In 2024, we were commissioned to produce videos designed for primary school-aged children, as well as secondary school pupils. The videos centered around the implications of Joint Enterprise law – a law doctrine where a person can be jointly convicted of the crime of another if the court decides they foresaw the other party was likely to commit that crime. The films were part of an effort to address the devastation of knife crime and designed to help young people understand the impacts and consequences involved. You can view both the primary and secondary school film versions here.
We’re so proud to have been a part of these incredibly impactful films and we’re excited to share that Northern Stage will be working with the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit again to help bring other crucial issues to light through art, with the next project already in its early planning stages.