Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has responded to calls to help combat anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Ryde by funding a summer sports programme.
Councillor Joe Robertson wrote to the Commissioner in February asking her to assist in diverting young people away from criminal activity in the town and surrounding areas.
He teamed up with Luke Kerr, at Wight Wave Beach Sports, and Inspector Andy McDonald and put together a bid for a £5,000 grant to introduce a Summer sports programme aimed at young people identified by local police.
The Commissioner has now confirmed that the money, which is from her ASB Taskforce fund set up to ensure local organisations work together, has been approved and the programme will start in May.
Wight Wave has been providing organised beach sports, including volleyball and soccer, on the sand in Ryde for over 10 years. The new programme will be in addition to their usual Summer schedule and aimed specifically at diverting young people away from anti-social behaviour and temptation into criminality.
Donna Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner, has said:
“I am aware of the youth ASB issues that have been going on for some time.
“Cllr Joe Robertson contacted me to make me aware of the issues and to discuss potential solutions to divert young people from committing crimes in local communities whilst giving them something to do.
Article continues below this advertisement “When Joe suggested this project, I was pleased to support it and wanted to ensure it was in place for the summer period to reduce issues for local people.”
Luke Kerr, from Wight Wave, said:
“I am really pleased to be working with Joe, Andy and the local police to deliver this new project.
“Our professional coaches are from civilian and military backgrounds and are hugely experienced at working with kids from all backgrounds. Through our partners we are able to provide sport coach accreditation and career opportunities too.”
Councillor Joe Robertson, who first proposed a new project using sports to divert young people away from criminality, adds:
“We know there is a spike in anti-social behaviour during summer months.
“I am pleased to have been able to work with Luke at Wight Wave and Ryde police to get young people into local sports where they can channel their energy in positive ways.
“This will not only benefit Ryde but the surrounding area too and it is something positive we can build on in the future. My thanks to Donna Jones for responding to our calls and approving our bid. I look forward to supporting the beach sports programme as soon as it starts.”
Yeah, I can really see the smack heads, thieves and feral animals wanting to give up their habits to go and play beach volleyball instead. Ridiculous waste of more of OUR tax money. Anything for Jones to con more money out of us in precepts.
So their going to play beach ball games at night in the pitch dark are they??
Jones claimed 2 million people voted for her on GB news whilst defending the police over that missing lady in the river..unelected and not even police???? this is ridiculous, saying on tv she has the vote of 2 million people..outright lie..do not trust this charleton.
GB “news”.
FTFY
sorry should it be the BBC for you sniffy..