A YOUTH project formed to give young people something to do in a safe environment is reaping rewards.
The Broomfields Youth Project, formed through a partnership between the police, Bridgewater Churches Together and Broomfields Leisure Centre, has seen more than 100 children unite on Friday evenings.
John Harper, a youth worker, said: “We are very fortunate to have so many young people in the area responding to this sort of provision.
“They are young and it is in their DNA to risk things on occasions but we have been really pleased in the way they have responded. They have embraced it and are really enthusiastic to be there.”
The initiative, to give children something to do, someone to talk to and somewhere to be, was launched by the Bridgewater Churches Together around two years ago.
The group runs a double decker bus which provides refreshments, games and trained staff.
But before Christmas police arranged for the bus, which was formerly based at Alexandra Park, Stockton Heath on a Friday evening, to be relocated to Broomfields Leisure Centre, Appleton, following complaints of anti-social behaviour when the bus left.
The muti-agency project was formed when Keith Maddock, manager at the centre, agreed that the young people could use the floodlit pitches and go swimming at no cost on Friday evenings.
Attendance between 7pm and 10pm is now in excess of 100 people aged between 12 and 18.
Insp Gary McIntyre said: “Residents in Stockton Heath love it because it is much quieter there and we don’t want to criminalise the kids. They love it because they are chatting, playing football and doing something healthy. They think it is brilliant.”
He said anti-social behaviour has plummeted by 20 per cent since the scheme was introduced and two CSOs are present each Friday and are assisting with football coaching.
Plans in the pipeline include getting funding for a number of teenagers to complete coaching courses, advice for young people on drink and sex education, dance mats and a temporary skate ramp.
