Youth take image change to extreme (From Warrington Guardian)

Youth take image change to extreme

PIONEERING young people in Padgate have set about changing negative stereotypes by forming a unique partnership with police in the area.

Sick and tired of being unfairly labelled by society the group, which belongs to Padgate Youth Club, has been working hand in hand with Risley Community Action Team police officers.

The group, called Padgate Police and Youth Extreme, meets weekly at the youth club on Insall Road and looks at ways it can help the community.

In a recent project, the youngsters looked at the issue of safety in their community and got together to distribute leaflets on crime prevention.

They have also held social events for pensioners in the area including a bingo night, in an attempt to introduce themselves and reassure older residents.

And the group is so keen to dispel negative attitudes towards young people and make the community a better place, it even handed out free personal attack alarms to local pensioners.

PC Kate Olley said: "The young people in the group worked really hard to organise the event for the community and it was a huge success.

"They are keen to challenge negative stereotypes about young people and are planning further community based events."

Mick Curran, chairman of the Cinnamon Brow Residents Association, said: "I'm really delighted with the work Kate has done with young people in the area. She really is a community policewoman and this is her pet project. She is so pro-active and the results have been remarkable.

"She and the young people have been working really hard and they have built up a great working relationship. They have a lot of respect for her.

"There's still a lot to be done but she and the youngsters are making real headway."