Lout behaviour is cut by two-thirds

Insp Dave Willcocks, Nicola Melvin and Darren Lynch, who has now started a sixth-form college course after getting involved in activities at the ROC.

A THRIVING Chadderton community centre has slashed anti-social behaviour by two-thirds.

The Radclyffe Outreach Centre opened every day during the summer holidays keeping youngsters off the street and out of trouble.

From July 15 to September 6 there was a 69 per cent reduction in anti-social behaviour from the same period last year.

Thanks to the success of the summer scheme the centre has been granted more funding so can open on Tuesday and Friday evenings until March 2010.

Nicola Melvin, community plan family support co-ordinator of the ROC, said: “The key to the success of the centre was asking the young people what they wanted in their neighbourhood to get them off the streets.

“I am proud to say that many of them have now taken up college courses and are back on the right track towards making a better life for themselves.

“This is a great result for the centre and is a credit to the young people who have been involved in the activities.”

Insp Dave Willcocks, of the Chadderton Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “By listening to the young people and getting them involved in worthwhile activities, the payback has been a reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour in the community. Not only has this improved the quality of life for the young people, but it’s improved the quality of life for the community.

“The additional funding is great news for everyone in Chadderton Central.

“Hopefully, we can keep up the good work and make the area an even safer place to live.”