Record attendances and a reduction in anti-social behaviour are the headlines from this year’s Space, the programme of events for young people revived in 2015 by the Police and Crime Commissioner.
PCC Matthew Ellis relaunched the scheme with an aim to reduce the level of anti-social behaviour reported to Staffordshire Police during the school summer holiday whilst increasing skills and improving health and general wellbeing by creating opportunities to engage with young people positively.
Final analysis shows this year’s programme coincided with 677 fewer police recorded incidents of youth-related anti-social behaviour compared to the previous year, a reduction of 38% across Staffordshire and Stoke-On-Trent – 1,091 in 2017.
As the final numbers were counted, organisers confirmed over 5,000 more young people attended the programme of summer events than in 2016.
More than 2,200 events were staged between July and September 2017 with over 17,000 attendances of 11-17 year-olds recorded.
Young people came together to enjoy activities including sports, dance, day trips, music sessions, film-making and drama workshops across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
The activities were arranged by a collaboration of public and voluntary organisations in Staffordshire including local councils and local businesses.
Speaking about the summer of events, Matthew Ellis said:
‘This year’s programme is officially the most successful ever. In fact, the results are so impressive that I want to look into expanding the Space programme even further.
‘I want to pay tribute to the many people who make Space possible. We’re showing that providing positive activities for young people can be a force for good in communities.’
Details of events funded by the PCC will continue to be promoted through the Space website with details of next year’s events also appearing next year at www.staffordshirespace.uk
