Crime's Cracking Itself
Youngsters have been telling how projects to help people stay out of trouble are making a real difference in Oldham.
Bob Ashford, the Youth Justice Board's Head of Prevention, visited Greenacres Youth Inclusion Programme as part of a roadshow.
The roadshow, which is running across England and Wales, has been looking at how Youth Offending Teams (YOT) can best spend the £45 million they were recently awarded by the Board to expand their programmes.
The Oldham YOT has received £330,000 to help its crime prevention work.
Mr Ashford heard directly from staff and young people about the benefits of the projects, which aim to keep young people out of trouble by encouraging them to develop new interests and skills.
He explained: "This roadshow is a great opportunity to hear how our crime programmes are benefiting young people and the wider community. The new money going to YOT means they'll be able to do even more to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. This is a brilliant example of how young people's energy and imagination can be targeted to positive projects".
Oldham YOT, a service delivered by Positive Steps Oldham, operates three projects across the borough supporting young people aged from 8 to 17. Each project runs a variety of programmes tailored to help stimulate and support young people and activities include motor vehicle maintenance, music production, literacy, citizenship and sports recreation.
These projects have worked successfully with more than 800 young people so far.
