The Arson Rap Project is run by South Wales Fire & Rescue Service, volunteers work with young people aged 11-18 to raise awareness of the dangers and consequenses of arson, car crime and anti-social behaviour. Becky Starmore, Art Rap Project assistant, commented "I worked with the group for one hour a week over eight weeks. The first three weeks were interactive workshops looking at the effects and consequenses of the above, then we took ideas from the group of what problems there are in their area and put together a Rap". She added: "Those involved got to pick a name for their group, design a cover for the CD and pick a backing track. "The final weeks we used to write the rap and on the final week we brought in a mobile recording studio and recorded their CD. All young people involved received a certificate and a copy of their CD and the young person who we thought had worked the hardest over the eight weeks would be rewarded with an MP3 Player which they were presented with by the firefighters at their local firestation. "The group had a presentation at Monmouth firestation where they also got a station tour and chance to see how the equipment is used". The group Becky worked with in Monmouth were Liam Grifiths, Scott Thomas, Stephanie Lusty, Katie Howard, Holly Trueman, Lucy Foote and Charlotte Tucker (Liam and Holly were not at the presentation). The MP3 Player was awarded to Katie Howard. Becky worked alongside Claire Mundy, the Youth Access worker for Monmouth Comprehensive. The group called themselves M.C.Crew. For a free home safety check and free smoke alarms, call 0800 3281830, it could save your life.
