Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matthew Ellis has revisited a popular Stoke-on-Trent youth project after it received funding to tackle anti-social behaviour earlier this year.
Norton Youth Group was granted £15,480 from the Commissioner’s Proceeds of Crime Fund in January to begin hosting free, weekly sessions for 11 to 18 year-olds in the Ball Green and Norton area. The money has paid for new equipment, venue hire and the appointment of a youth worker to run the sessions.
Based at St John’s Methodist Church, the group meets on Monday evenings and offers its members a wide range of activities and games, such as arts and crafts, table tennis and pool, plus guided-activities such as dance and drama and learning how to DJ.
PCC Matthew Ellis has decided that 100 per cent of funding received by Staffordshire Police from proceeds of crime seizures should go back to local communities.
The Proceeds of Crime Fund is supporting projects in conjunction with local policing teams and local authorities. It is made up of assets and money seized by police from criminals in Staffordshire under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Mr Ellis said: “It is crucial that 100 per cent of funding that comes back to Staffordshire Police from proceeds of crime seizures is going directly to local communities.
“This is a fantastic project that has used Proceeds of Crime fund brilliantly. Talking to these young people it’s clear how much they value the group and how much they benefit from it.
“By engaging young people like this it means we can intervene early to tackle the problem of anti-social behaviour. Not only is this better for those directly involved, but it’s also the best way to reduce crime and have a positive impact on communities in the long-term.”
By its second week, Norton Youth Group had already gained over 75 registered members, with the group’s average attendance now being between 30 and 40 young people.
Marvin Molloy, Community Development worker and Co-ordinator for the project, said: “This project is fantastic for providing the kids with a venue where they can really enjoy themselves and make new friends, whilst most importantly, reducing anti-social behaviour.
“At first, we were slightly overwhelmed by the number of kids wanting to sign up, but we soon realised this was a reflection of the interest in the area.
“Without this project some of these kids might end up getting into trouble through sheer boredom, so I think it’s been a brilliant investment.”
The group also helps bridge the gap between young people and the Police as local Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) regularly attend the sessions.
PCSO Simon Jones said: “Since these sessions began in March we’ve seen a significant drop in anti-social behaviour in the area.
“Not only do these sessions provide entertainment for the kids, but they help them socialise, building new relationships and ultimately, a better community.”
The group is constantly looking to improve, with the volunteers distributing suggestion sheets each week for the members to raise any improvements and get their voices heard – expanding to two nights a week is a recurring theme.
Corey Stanyer, aged 15, said: “This is a great way to get kids off the streets and improve life in the community.
“Some kids can find it hard to communicate with people they don’t know. So when they come here it helps them learn how to talk to new people make new friends.”
Some members of the group have established their own tuck shop, with the profits going back into the running of the sessions.
For more details on Norton Youth Group contact Marvin Molloy on 07969 727405, visit www.facebook.com/nortonyouthgroup, or tweet @NortonYouth.
To read the original article click; www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/2014/01/pcc-funds-new-youth-club-norton/
For more details on the Commissioner’ Community Fund, including how to apply for a grant, click; www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/fund/
