Youth groups help cut crime

Aug 5 2008 by Lynn Jolly, Paisley Daily Express

ORGANISED youth groups and weekend schemes for teenagers are helping cut crime, government inspectors have revealed.

A team from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education have had a good look at Community Learning and Development (CLD) projects in Gallowhill, Paisley, Renfrew North and South.

And they found crime dropped by as much as 43 per cent when young people had something to occupy them and they weren’t hanging around the streets.

Twenty focus groups were held to discuss Renfrewshire Council’s CLD with staff and people in the communities.

The inspectors said police recorded a 43 per cent cut in reported crime during the The Gallowhill, Arkleston and Seedhill Project (GAS).

There was £70,000 invested in GAS to keep ten to 18-year-olds off the street corners and activities on offer included DJ-ing, urban art, skateboarding, climbing and street dance.

A high number of youngsters went along on Friday and Saturday nights – which are prime times for anti-social behaviour.

The report said: “Young people valued the provision on offer and police research identified a 43 per cent reduction in reported crime during the GAS sessions.

“The relationship between young people and community wardens had improved.”

Paisley Grammar School’s Duke of Edinburgh’s Award efforts, Trinity High School’s XL Group, the Scottish Youth Parliament and Renfrewshire Youth Voice (RYV) were among groups praised for boosting kids’ confidence and improving their chances of getting jobs.

The Renfrew Crew was singled out for praise after making a DVD about what there is for young people to do in their town and exploring the myth “there’s nothing to do”.

RYV teamed up with the emergency services to make a two-minute video on the dangers of drink-driving. Members used Bluetooth mobile phone technology to send the clip out to youngsters in nightclubs and travelling on public transport.

The inspectors were told this was “very thought provoking” and everyone involved in the production learned useful skills.

The Parents as Educators (PETS) group supports mums and dads so they can work with their children to boost their literacy skills.

Eight one to two hour workshops were set up to help P1 to P3 pupils learn basic literacy and numeracy.

The inspectors said this “was making significant impact on parents and families.”

General areas for improvement flagged up with the council included:

lBoosting partnership planning to meet the needs of local learners.

lDrawing up a strategy to create effective support for local communities.

lDeveloping a coordinated approach to training for Community Learning and Development staff at the council and

lCreating a more coordinated approach to planning.

Paisley Police Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent John Harkin, said: “One of the biggest complaints police hear from young people is that there’s nothing to do. This doesn’t excuse criminal activity, but diversionary activities will help to focus their minds elsewhere and burn up some of that excess energy.

“I am really pleased with the achievements to date. This highlights the commitment shown by my officers and our partners in the voluntary and public sector to improving the quality of life for the communities of Renfrewshire.

“Recent performance results have seen a sustained reduction in anti-social behaviour offences and I acknowledge the tremendous support provided by Renfrewshire Council in combating antisocial behaviour in our communities.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank my officers, partners, and the residents of the communities we serve for their hard work and excellent assistance.”