Fishing fun for City youngsters

A group of angling enthusiasts from two Stoke-on-Trent communities are preparing to battle it out in a fishing contest.

The event at Hanchurch Fisheries, on Tuesday 24 August, will see 10 youngsters from Norton and 10 from Stanfields pitting their wits against eachother.

The event has been organised by PCSOs Simon Jones and Andy Pryce from Tunstall Neighbourhood Policing unit (NPU), with funding from PASS
(Partners Assuring a Safer Staffordshire).

The fishing trip has also attracted support from Asda in Tunstall, Burslem-based Pickerings Fishery and Wardle Transport.

Next week’s trip is the result of PCSO Jones talking to young people whilst on his beat, many of whom expressed an interest in fishing but did not have the equipment to do it.

Working with PCSO Pryce, the officers set about organising the fishing trip.

“We are always looking at new ways to positively engage with young people, and give them something constructive to do,” said PCSO Jones.
“The fishing trip was their suggestion and we have been able to organise it, thanks to support from the (PASS) Partners Assuring a Safer Staffordshire scheme and retail outlets.”

PCSO Jones added the fishing trip was one of a number of initiatives under way across Tunstall NPU to encourage young people to engage in positive activity and away from anti-social behaviour.