Leeds police cook up great project for bored teenagers
A project which gets bored teenagers off the streets and up a rock face or into the kitchen could be introduced across Leeds.
Climbing and cooking were just two of the activities being offered to youngsters in Holbeck and the surrounding areas to keep them busy during the holidays this summer.
The project was part of a new plan devised by Holbeck's neighbourhood policing head Insp Ian Law and is believed to have cut youth crime in the area by 40 per cent over the holidays, according to police.
Teenagers aged between 13 and 16 could take part in a range of sporty activities including rock climbing, canoeing and caving, as well as skills based fun like cookery and car mechanics.
The project has been dubbed Operation Divensure – because it aims to divert young people away from trouble and at the same time reassure locals that their concerns about anti-social behaviour are being dealt with.
"Finding the young people activities to do over the school holidays is not just a quick-fix solution to anti-social behaviour problems," Insp Law said.
"Operation Divensure aims to help the young people find an activity, sport or skill that they can take an active interest in and develop as they get older.
Activities have been put on through several packages run by Leeds City Council's 'Breeze' summer programme, Hunslet Boys Club and the Hamara Centre in Beeston among others.
Funding from West Yorkshire Police's Community Trust has helped to subsidise some of the costs.
Posted: Wednesday, August 27, 2008
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