A youth hub and street dancing classes are proposed as ways to reduce the level of anti-social behaviour in North Lincolnshire towns.
The Community Response Fund (CRF), run by Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Evison, allocates cash to tackle issues the public have raised. Six towns across Humberside are each receiving up to £10,000 cash in the third round of CRF to reduce anti-social behaviour, and Bridlington is getting up to £17,500.
These include the North Lincolnshire towns of Barton-upon-Humber, Crowle, and Kirton-in-Lindsey. It comes as police intervened to stop a planned fight between as many as 80 youths in Crowle earlier this month.
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Anti-social behaviour has been chosen as a focus in the towns because of public feedback through Humber Talking. This is an engagement tool used by Humberside Police and the PCC, which asks residents questions about issues affecting their community.
Previous CRF-supported projects include a performing arts outreach programme in Winterton, and Grimsby Town Foundation sport sessions in Immingham. Humberside’s PCC Jonathan Evison said: “I launched the Community Response Fund due to feedback received from residents in Humberside Police’s Humber Talking Survey, and to focus on locations which have significant reports of anti-social behaviour.
“In each area, projects have been selected which will engage with young people and provide positive activities to reduce anti-social behaviour. We have already seen successes in other locations and I look forward to similar results in this latest round of funding.”
Barton
Anti-social behaviour was the number one raised issue in Barton. Neighbourhood police are aware some residents, the Co-op, and Heron Foods are “suffering with regular antisocial behaviour from a cohort of youths”. Groups also gather at Barton Interchange.
While the majority do not cause any problems, a minority are causing frustration and leaving residents and shop workers “feeling intimidated”. The £10,000 is proposed by Barton Town Council to go to reopening a Youth Hub.
It would be open one night a week initially, and provide a range of activities, including sports, gaming, development of college applications, and ceramic painting. The suggestion is as a result of engagement by neighbourhood police and the Youth Justice Partnership with Baysgarth School pupils.
Crowle
Crowle has been chosen because of an increase in anti-social behaviour in Axholme North Ward, particularly in the town. Earlier this month, police had to disperse a large number of youths gathered in the town centre. Several intelligence leads had suggested a planned fight, with weapons.
Street beat dancing classes are proposed. A weekly free two-hour performing arts dance session would be held at Crowle Community Centre for young people aged six to 18. The sessions will start as street dance, but develop based on participant feedback. To promote it, free taster workshops would take place in four local schools.
Kirton Lindsey
Anti-social behaviour was also the number one issue residents were concerned about here. Parks and community assets have been vandalised, with a number of reports made to the police.
The town council proposes to engage young people through street-based outreach during evenings and weekends. It would aim to build trusting relationships with young people, before encouraging them to choose and develop the activities they want to do. This would be in partnership with the town’s two schools and its youth-based organisations.
The public have until February 26 to vote via the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC) website, here, on whether they support the proposed uses of the cash.
Anti-social behaviour summit
Humberside’s PCC is holding an anti-social behaviour summit in North Ferriby on March 5. This will bring together key members of organisations across Humberside, who are affected by anti-social behaviour.
There will be guest speakers, with information on academic studies, lived experience and practical applications. Victims’ Commissioner Baroness Helen Newlove is set to attend.
Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe
