Successful anti-crime schemes closing down

A PIONEERING scheme which helps steer young people away from a life of crime will close next year because of a lack of funding.

TwoYouth Inclusion Projects (YIPs) in Stoke-on-Trent will stop operating in March after several attempts to secure cash failed.

The schemes in Stanfields and Meir are targeted at eight to 17-year-olds, who are thought to be at risk of offending, truancy or social exclusion.

Youngsters take part in various organised activities including sport, art and fund-raising, and complete workshops about drugs, alcohol and sexual health. If they stay out of trouble, they are taken on excursions.

Police, schools and community groups say the projects, run by crime reduction charity NACRO, have dramatically reduced anti-social behaviour in the areas, but without an investment of £260,000 a year, they will have to close.

There are currently 58 young people involved with the Stanfields project and 59 at Meir.

John Tate, director of Stoke-on-Trent's Youth Offending Service, pictured below, said the projects have had a big impact.

"Apart from getting support to young people that need it and their parents, we have also engaged with the local communities," he said.

"The programmes have resulted in a 30 per cent reduction in youth crime and anti-social behaviour."

The Stanfields YIP was started in 2001 under a three-year grant from the Youth Justice Board, and continued with funding from various sources. The programme was expanded to Meir in 2005. But on April 1 this year, changes in the funding process meant no more cash was available for the projects.

The Youth Offending Service found cash for a further year, but grant applications to organisations including the Big Lottery Fund and Coalfields Regeneration have been unsuccessful, because the YIPs do not meet the criteria. A manager and administrator oversee the schemes which each have three project workers.

Inspector Mark Hardern, commander of Tunstall Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said: "There used to be serious issues around crime and anti-social behaviour in this area, but I have seen a massive improvement in crime reduction, anti-social behaviour and environmental issues thanks to the Youth Inclusion Project.

"I wouldn't like to see it closed because it does a lot for the kids involved and the community."

Michael Coleman, councillor for Weston and Meir North, said: "The work done by the project is invaluable and the thought that we could lose it fills me with dread. I know what this estate can become without that kind of intervention."