Bognor Regis students produce film against drink-driving

Working in partnership with West Sussex County Council’s youth service and Sussex Police, 11 pupils from The Regis School have produced a bi-lingual film showing what happens when a drunk driver gets behind the wheel.

The Polish sub-titled film was launched last Thursday in front of an invited audience of parents, police, firefighters, councillors and Bognor Regis Town mayor Jim Brooks.

Chief Inspector Jane Derrick, the district commander for Arun at Sussex Police, said: “This film will be shown not just in schools in Britain but internationally as well. We will make it happen.

“The film is brilliant. It has such an important message and you have delivered it in such a simple way. It had a real impact – it really makes you stop and think.”

Sgt Christine Holyoake, the community engagement sergeant at Bognor’s police station, said: “The young people had a change of attitude as they were making the film.

“They really changed their minds about drink driving.

“They were a little bit flippant about it, but meeting police officers who have personal experience of it by going to fatal accidents really brought home to them the consequences of drink-driving.

“They also got to talk to officers about delivering a death message and holding someone who is taking their last breath.

“It made all the difference to them to be able to talk to someone with that personal experience. It brought the situation closer to them.”

The 10min 30sec film, entitled Wasted Life, was made by pupils aged 13 to 16, over nine one-hour weekly sessions.

Pupils were involved in all aspects of making the film under the guidance of Compulsive Productions which donated a lot of time and expertise for free.

Sgt Holyoake said the film was a real example of partnership working.

“It has exceeded my expectations,” said Sgt Holyoake, “in terms of partnership building and telling the young people about the youth service and the kind of help they can have.”

You can watch the film at www.yourspacewestsussex.co.uk.