3 October 2008, 08/223
Sport is helping to kick out crime!
Getting young people involved in sport is driving down crime in
parts of Skelmersdale, according to new police figures.
Latest statistics show that West Lancashire District Council’s
innovative Street Sport Project has helped to cut the summer
holiday crime toll by 31%.
The District Council’s Sports Development Team were given
funding earlier this year via the Safer, Stronger Communities Fund
to make Digmoor, Moorside and parts of Tanhouse greener, safer and
cleaner.
With the money they launched the Street Sport Project, which
uses sports to reduce anti social behaviour in these Skelmersdale
areas.
Children aged between 8 and 19 are encouraged to take part in a
variety of activities such as youth clubs, holiday sessions and
trips to keep them off the streets and give them something positive
to do.
And it’s working because the crime figures for this year’s
school summer holidays (28th July to 1st September), show that
crime had dropped by 31% compared to the previous year’s figures.
The reduction includes offences such as criminal damage, graffiti
and anti social behaviour.
Residents have even been in touch with the Council following the
holiday activity programme to say… ‘I hadn’t noticed
as many young people hanging around on street corners because the
Council are giving them something to do’ and that the
‘children have really enjoyed themselves’.
Cllr Geoff Hammond, Porfolio Holder for Community Services,
said: "As we know the school holidays can get boring for young
people and can potentially result in them causing a nuisance but
our Street Sport Project has made a real difference this year. It
is a fantastic initiative that gives youngsters something positive
to do in their spare time and now we know that it’s working. The
latest police figures show that sport really is helping to kick out
crime!"
As well as the holiday activity programme, the project also
includes weekly youth clubs at various sites. Activities young
people can get involved in include pool, table tennis, football and
basketball. For the less energetic there’s arts and crafts,
cooking, board games and even discos. To find out more contact
01695 555570.
The youth club timetable is as follows:
-
Mondays, Birch Green Community Centre, Hartlands, from 5pm to
7pm.
-
Tuesdays, Digmoor community Centre, Birleywood, from 5pm to 7pm.
There’s also a youth club at Tanhouse community Centre, Ennerdale,
from 4.30pm to 7pm.
-
Wednesdays, The Fold Centre, Abbeystead, Little Digmoor, from
4.30pm to 7pm.
Related information
> Sports
Development
> Community
centres
> Anti
social behaviour