Browse Sections

• Education
• Roadworks
• Shipman
• Special reports

Text book approach to policing youths

by Emilene Coventry
9/ 7/2008

POLICE have been taking the mobile phone numbers of youths on the street — so they can text them about free sports activities.

It’s the latest scheme to combat crime and anti-social behaviour in Ashton St Peters and St Michaels, which top the league tables for youth crime.

PC Chris Brook from the Priority Neighbourhood Team came up with the idea.

He said: "When we got complaints about youths and alcohol we would give them vouchers for a free session, as well as the usual warnings. They loved it but the problem was co-ordinating it.  So now we’re getting their phone numbers and texting them to let them know what’s on that night," he said.

Police have already teamed up with sports and youth clubs across Ashton to set up the activities over the summer.

Victoria Clark-Leece, co-ordinator at the St Peter’s Youth project, said: "This is an effective way of communicating with young people in a style that’s accessible to them.  And we can reach a far greater number of people in partnership with the police because they can go out and see young people every day.  Because we’re a regeneration area we have to find innovative solutions to long-term problems – and this is definitely a first for Tameside."

The youth project has also set up a group on social networking site Facebook with information about what is going on.

Volunteers will use a computer database to send out text messages to youngsters aged 12–16 every day at 4pm with information about activities tailored to their age group.

The Priority Neighbourhood Team will also be visiting schools and youth clubs to roll out the new scheme.