Information on Loughborough

New street-based workers recruited to help tackle anti-social behaviour

Posted on 01/07/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Chief Executive's

30 June 2009

New street-based workers recruited to help tackle anti-social behaviour

New street-based workers have been recruited to help prevent youth related anti-social behaviour in Leicestershire.

The Youth Offending Service’s IMPACT Project has proved to be so successful it is being expanded with £300,000 extra funding from Leicestershire County Council.

A total of 18 street-based workers are undergoing training before being deployed to work in areas across the county which have been identified as having problems with anti-social behaviour.

The scheme has already helped reduce incidents of rowdy behaviour, drinking and vandalism in more than 20 towns and villages including Loughborough, Coalville, Market Harborough and Melton.

IMPACT Project manager Kam Chauhan said: “We are delighted to have received this extra funding which will enable us to stay out longer, reach new areas and respond more quickly,

“The new recruits are currently undergoing six weeks of training before they take to the streets.

“They will work on the ground to try to engage with vulnerable young people and prevent them becoming involved in criminal or antisocial behaviour.”

Byron Rhodes, Cabinet  member for Safer Communities at Leicestershire County Council, said: “IMPACT staff do a sterling job – they have helped make a real difference in areas where they have worked.

“This money will enable them to help even more communities in Leicestershire which have experienced youth related anti-social behaviour.”

IMPACT workers usually work with young people in the evenings at weekends – or whenever anti-social behaviour is reported to be at its peak.

Their work also includes going into schools to help young people understand how anti-social behaviour impacts on the wider community and educate them on what the consequences of it are.

Many areas where they have worked have seen significant drops in reports of anti-social behaviour.

Background.

The IMPACT Project was set up in 2007, initially with three street-based workers. The project was given an additional £200K in 2008 to appoint 13 more IMPACT Workers and a project manager.

Areas where IMPACT workers have worked recently include:

Welland Park, Market Harborough; Maxwell Drive, Loughborough, Richmond Road and Tudor Park, Hinckley and Blaby Road Park, South Wigston.

Earlier this year the IMPACT team, along with Birstall Parish Council and Charnwood Borough Council, organised a community safety week in the village. The initiative was deemed to be a big success and enabled all agencies to work directly with young people and adults in the community.