Local Actors Fight Crime One Witness At A Time

Dark Horse Theatre is a company in Huddersfield led by an ensemble of 9 actors with learning disabilities who, amongst their many accomplishments, have trained South Yorkshire Police detectives for over 10 years, working to improve communication skills when interviewing vulnerable witnesses and victims. The company’s work has enabled police officers and detectives, lawyers and solicitors to platform learning disabled voices in statements and in court, developing a better and deeper understanding of how to engage people with learning disabilities, recognise vulnerabilities, and reverse harmful stereotypes. For South Yorkshire Police, the changes have vastly improved quality and impact throughout their investigation processes.

Marie Allen, Police Co-ordinator at Irwin Mitchell (Sheffield), is currently developing a witness interviewing course which will allow police officers to identify different types of vulnerabilities and make reasonable adjustments. This means that officers will develop the skills and expertise they need to capture vital statements in the most effective way for presentation in court. Remembering their work with SYP, Marie approached Dark Horse for assistance shooting footage for the course, working with the company actors in July at their rehearsal space in the Piazza Centre, Huddersfield to record multiple clips.

Marie said “I have worked with Dark Horse Theatre for many years, and they are a truly diverse, committed and highly professional team. I cannot thank them enough for supporting me in developing an interview course which will be all the better for their contributions.”

darkhorsetheatre.co.uk