Young people making a difference in Tunstall
An event designed to keep young people off the streets and engaged in positive activity is back by popular demand in Tunstall.
Police and their partners are hosting a free event for young people in the Nash Peake Street area on Sunday 5 July.
Young people are asked to get involved in a community litter pick and are rewarded with a StreetGame session in return.
Sunday’s event follows two successful events held in May.
Young people are asked to meet local police officers for the area, together with council representatives, at 11am on Sunday.
The area to be spruced up is the fields at the back of Nash Peak Street.
Officers from the Tunstall Neighbourhood Policing Unit (NPU) are continuing to work with colleagues from Stoke-on-Trent City Council to stage such events.
Sergeant Rob Bateman, from Tunstall NPU, said: “The first two community litter picks proved a great success and I would encourage even more young people to get involved this time round.
“In May we had dozens of young people working closely with members of the community to improve the areas around Coronation Street and Heritage Park.
“Now we are turning our attention to Nash Peake Street.
“By engaging young people in positive activities we are hoping to see a decrease in the number of anti-social behaviour reports we receive in this area.”
Stoke-on-Trent Councillor Terry Follows, cabinet member for community safety, cohesion and communication, said: “We are very pleased to support the police in such a worthwhile scheme.
“Improving the condition of the city’s streets is an important step, and by getting young people involved, it will allow them to take a sense of pride in their areas.
“By providing an extra incentive to take part in the scheme then hopefully we can expect a really high turnout.”
Posters and leaflets promoting the event are being distributed across the area in the run up to the event and youngsters are encouraged to get involved.
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YOUNGSTERS were rewarded
YOUNGSTERS were rewarded with an afternoon of street games after picking up litter from a playing field.
Around 30 young residents, ranging in age from five to 20, took part in the clean-up of land behind Nash Peake Street, Tunstall, yesterday.
It was organised by Staffordshire Police and the StreetGame team at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, following the success of two similar events in May.
Sergeant Rob Bateman, from Tunstall neighbourhood policing unit, said the aim was to inspire young people to have respect for the area, as well as reducing anti-social behaviour.
He said: "It's about giving youngsters something positive to do with their time and bridging the gap between them and other members of the community. A lot of anti-social behaviour is tolerance-based, so events like this can make our job easier.
"After the litter pick, the youngsters take part in a range of activities such as tennis, football, basketball and cricket.
"Giving the children a reward for their efforts encourages more of them to take part."
Leon Ali, aged 20, of Mayfair Gardens, Tunstall, was overseeing the young people after being inspired to take part in community activities following the death of his friend Damien Brian. The 18-year-old of Machin Street, Tunstall, died on May 24 after he got into difficulty when he went for a swim in Goldendale Pool in Tunstall.
Leon said he was being encouraged by the police to take a youth course and organise similar events across the area.
He said: "I am one of the older ones, so I decided to be one of the first people to pick up the litter today to show the younger ones that it was OK to do it. Today's about cleaning the area up and giving the young people something to do rather than just get drunk.
"We've started organised litter picks around our block a while ago because we have travellers who dump a lot of rubbish there. We usually do them every two days, but this has been the first time that we have done anything with the police."
"Damien's death affected us all. I think we all realised that we couldn't go on as we were."
Joshua Leaman, aged 17, of Corinth Way, Tunstall, said: "A lot of the young people round here don't get on with the police, so it's good for them to get to know them and realise they are not bad people."
Sunita Ali, aged 17, of Mayfair Gardens, Tunstall, said: "I think the litter pick has been good for the park, and has got us socialising with the younger ones."
Joanne Kerridge, aged 16, of Hose Street, Tunstall, added: "I think this will show residents that we're responsible people and we don't just come down here to cause trouble."
Tunstall councillor Megan Ryan said: "They're all doing a good job and should be proud of themselves."
City councillor Terry Follows, cabinet member for community safety, cohesion and communication, said: "Improving the condition of the city's streets is an important step, and by getting young people involved it will allow them to take a sense of pride in their areas."
http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/council/Youngsters-pick-respect-mes...
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