Initiatives launched to tackle anti-social behaviour
Two major initiatives have been launched by police to reduce anti-social behaviour among young people.
A 10-week initiative is taking place in Atherton to tackle the problem among gangs of youths who complain that they get in to mischief because they have nothing to else to do.
And the Partnership And Communities Together (PACT) initiative has been introduced in Orrell and Billinge and is currently focusing on anti-social behaviour around Church Street, Lodge Road and the Orrell waterpark area.
The 'Nowt 2 Do' campaign in Atherton has been set up under the School-Based Police Officer Project and will see police working with Fred Longworth and Hesketh Fletcher High Schools to provide positive activities for young people.
These range from cycling, football, healthy eating workshops and a drama club to dancing classes, skateboarding, gardening and DJ/MC lessons.
Posters listing all the activities taking place have been put up around both high schools participating in the campaign and in community venues.
School-based officer PC Andy Wright, who is running the campaign, said: "Reducing anti-social behaviour is one of our top priorities, and youths hanging around on streets often tell us there is nothing else to do where they live.
"Police and local schools are therefore strongly committed to this scheme, and all events are free to those taking part. Getting young people involved in the activities will not only keep them off the streets but will also get them interested in things they didn't know they enjoyed doing."
And in Pemberton, Neighbourhood Area Inspector Peter Clarke said it was important to tackle the first signs of anti-social behaviour as it could lead to crime.
He said: "The young people are usually well-mannered when spoken to by police although there have been elements of alcohol misuse which we are addressing in partnership with Trading Standards.
"I have recently authorised installation of Mosquito and camera signage on and around Church Street which appears to be having a significant effect after installation in the Worsley Mesnes area.
"Orrell and Billinge does appear to suffer from house burglaries, and while earlier in the year we had some tremendous success in arresting some of those responsible, I have recently commissioned further analysis to look at offenders and locations to try and make us more effective in catching those responsible.
"Due to our proximity to other forces, I suspect we may suffer some cross-border criminality and I am currently liaising with those forces to combine our efforts.
"To reassure communities I will continue to employ high-profile and covert resources, carry out crime prevention leaflet drops and circulate up-to-date information via the Wigan Information Sharing Emails (WISE) scheme which sends out updates to more than 120 community members."
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Weather for Wigan
Thursday 02 September 2010
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 20 C
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