What youths need to keep them off streets

YOUNG people need safe places to socialise, cheaper transport options and access to good news stories to help them feel more included in their local community.

That’s the view of the council’s scrutiny commission which has been examining crime and disorder as well as the provision of activities for the borough’s youth.

The panel met with police, school teachers and sports development workers to help them understand key issues affecting youngsters. Commission members discovered that, even though there is a wide range of activities available for young people, there is a perception of there being nothing to do.

Socialising is a priority, they said, and there is a need for places where youngsters can meet in an unstructured way.

Based on their findings, the scrutiny panel has made a range of recommendations such as developing the council’s website, police training, better use of schools after hours, promoting good news youth stories, exploring changes to the cost and reliability to public transport and developing mentoring schemes.

The council’s Cabinet members are discussing the recommendations made by the panel and have asked the children, young people and families department to look into making the proposals a reality.

The full report can be found at www.documents.oldham.gov.uk/edrs/det08100099.doc.