NORTHWICH police are hoping to improve their relationship with young people with a series of sports projects.

Launched earlier this year, the Sportivate Project gives youngsters across Northwich the chance to participate in a variety of activities including boxing, street dance, bowling and rugby union.

The project, organised and run by local PCSOs, was introduced to the Northwich community on a trial basis following a meeting with Sport Cheshire last year.

“The idea behind the project is to build better relationships with young people, provide activities to deter anti-social behaviour and encourage young people to have a more active lifestyle,” said PCSO Philip Hambleton, one of the officers running the events.

“All of the local PCSO’s have a good relationship with the young people in the area already and regularly run activities involving them.”

The sessions are planned to take place on Friday and Saturday evenings – the normal hot spots for anti social behaviour.

PCSO Hambleton said: “We hope that more young people will get involved in sporting activity and possibly use sport as an alternative to hanging around the streets and becoming involved in nuisance behaviour.

“We regularly come across groups of youths hanging around the streets and the majority are not causing problems but say that there is nothing for them to do.”

Boxing, climbing and karate sessions have already taken place, with rugby union, street dance and ten pin bowling still to come.

PCSO Hambleton added: “The project will hopefully continue for some time following the trial and will hopefully be developed to other Neighbourhood Policing Units across the area.”

 

Programme of events still to come:

Friday, February 22: Rugby at Sale Sharks, Salford, consisting of an hour’s coaching, a question and answer session, and a ticket for the evening game against Harlequins.

Monday, March 11: Street dance at Lostock Social Club. Session will be one hour long and run by Elite Dancers 7-8pm.

Wednesday, April 3: Ten Pin Bowling at Lakeside Bowling, Crewe. Three games on the night, starting at 7pm.