Youngsters will be flying high this autumn if they complete a new course aimed at tackling anti social behaviour.
Police officers in Halewood are organising a young persons’ Aspire project, which will culminate in a trip to a high wire adventure park as an incentive for completing the programme.
A group of 10 teenagers aged 13 to 17, who have been identified as at risk of committing anti social behaviour, have been picked to take part in the week-long course in October half term.
The trip to the high wire park has been funded by Knowsley Housing Trust through its area board grants.
Steve Hughes, KHT Neighbourhood Manager, said: “This is a great scheme that will specifically work with those young people vulnerable to falling into crime and anti social behaviour.
The course, a joint initiative between Merseyside Police and Knowsley Council, aims to tackle problem behaviour that can increase during the Halloween and bonfire period.
Throughout the week the teenagers will have to attend a series of talks from various organisations about the impact of anti social behaviour, including Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, Knowsley Council and Mersey Travel.
For each talk they attend they will get to take part in activities such as joining Merseyside Police for the day or learning firefighter skills.
Karl Rooney, Police Community Support and Traffic officer for Halewood, said: “The object is to instil a sense of citizenship and respect for authority.
“There have been some historic issues on Mischief Night around Halloween in the past.
“The youths were chosen for the Aspire project because they were heading towards criminality.
“We worked with our police school liaison officers to identify those that were most at risk of committing anti social behaviour.
“We have set up a programme of talks and activities that are designed to give them the skills and confidence which we believe will help steer them away from this.
“We will try to offer them career and life advice as well where possible and educate them on things like drugs.
“The week will end with a trip to a high wire adventure course, which will test their skills such as team working, and to participate they will have to have stayed out of trouble on Mischief Night.”
Those who complete the course will be given a certificate of recognition from Knowsley Council which they can use to boost their CV.
Steve Agger, Service Director for Crime and Disorder from Knowsley Council, said: “We hope that the young people who have been chosen to take part in this course take full advantage of the opportunities on offer.
“The Safer Knowsley Partnership is committed to tackling anti-social behaviour. Through courses like this we can improve the quality of life for residents while offering young people quality diversionary and personal development activities.”
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