Six communities are benefitting from year one of the Police Crime Commissioner's anti-social behaviour (ASB) Hotspot Trailblazer funding.
Working with the Durham and Darlington Police and Crime Commissioners office, last summer we secured Government Trailblazer funding to support a project to improve and keep our communities safe, whilst tackling and resolving ASB and neighbourhood nuisance incidents.
Through multi-partnership working with Durham County Council, Durham Police, and local voluntary organisations we have been able to deliver projects in Ferryhill, Newton Aycliffe, Sedgefield, Spennymoor, Shildon, and Trimdon.
In Spennymoor over 100 young people have attended Friday night football sessions helping them stay fit and healthy, whilst providing a safe place to go on Friday evenings. The sessions, led by Spennymoor Football Club's 'Moors in the Community' were held at local school Whitworth Park Academy where they could take advantage of its new community 3G pitch.
Andy Coulthard said: "This is essential funding to help communities to address problems they are facing in these hotspot areas and reduce ASB. Projects that have come forward so far are using positive activities to make people feel safe and areas look cleaner whilst educating them in the harms associated with ASB".
Ian Geldard said: "The launch of Friday Night Football has been fantastic in terms of providing something safe, fun and meaningful for our young people on a weekly basis, and we are grateful for the support of Livin and the Durham Police and Crime Commissioners Office in funding the project. We know that by providing engaging, casual, sporting activity, we not only reduce anti-social behaviour around the town, but provide further opportunities to develop our young people’s skills for the future."
The project has also helped young people in Ferryhill to set up 'The Right Thing' litter-picking and flytipping group run by community organisation Approach Too with the support of Ferryhill School.
Other work includes detached youth work to over 50 young people, targeted patrols, outreach work and home security measures across Spennymoor, Sedgefield, Trimdon and Newton Aycliffe.
Pictured left to right: Ian Geldard (Town Mayor of Spennymoor and Managing Director at Spennymmoor FC), Andy Coulthard (Community Regeneration Manager) and Matthew Arnell (Spennymoor FC Sports Development Officer)
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