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Sports event cutting antisocial behaviour
By Shona GossipPress and Journal September 25, 2008
Figures reveal impact of Annual challenge for disadvantaged youths
AN ANNUAL sports event for disadvantaged teenagers is helping to cut youth crime and antisocial behaviour in Aberdeen, police revealed yesterday.
Sports Challenge enables young people aged 12 to 16 from Fersands, Middlefield, Northfield, Kaimhill, Mastrick, Tillydrone and Kincorth to experience a range of activities not easily accessible to them. Youngsters have been testing their skills at touch rugby, lawn bowling, football, golf, basketball and climbing.
Annual incident figures released by the police show a consistent drop in reports of annoyance, vandalism, disputes, noisy music, underage drinking and disorder offences in the communities since the launch of the Scottish Business in the Community Grampian’s Sports Challenge four years ago.
In October last year, there were 652 youth disorder, motorcycle annoyance and underage drinking incidents reported to police in Aberdeen, compared to 1288 calls in October 2004.
Inspector Shona Stewart said: “Vandalism happens because there isn’t a real sense of personal responsibility or community pride. SBC Grampian’s Sports Challenge provides a diversion from antisocial behaviour and gives the children involved a sense of self-confidence. It equips them with team building skills, and opportunity to make new friends and ultimately makes them better citizens.
“This helps to free up police resources that would otherwise be used tackling youth disorder. It means we can be more proactive, rather than just reactive, and there is an opportunity to prevent local crime.”
Alex Gauld, SBC Grampian manager said: “We know from talking to the young participants how the Sports Challenge has changed their lives and instilled in them a greater sense of community spirit so we are delighted that the official figures show that the wider community is also experiencing a benefit.”