Motivation is the name of the game

Adam Griffiths and Alex Davies enjoy a game of table football

A scheme which motivated young people in Hollinwood and cut anti-social behaviour will be rewarded by Greater Manchester Chief Constable Peter Fahy tomorrow.

The Champion Award recognises working together to achieve positive results.

Oldham Council co-ordinated a partnership approach in late 2008 when the New Life Church in Failsworth began working with youth charity The Message Trust to bring an Eden youth bus youth project to the area, funded from local housing association, Regenda.

When police began planning for a three-month dispersal order in the Hollinwood and Limeside in late 2009, they followed the team’s experiences.

To keep youngsters from hanging around on street corners and complaining they had nothing to do, activities, such as a nail bar and DJ sessions, were introduced.

The approach was a success and calls about youth-related anti-social behaviour more then halved in six months. Reports of criminal damage and vehicle crime were also down.

The trophy will be presented by Mr Fahy in front of around 750 people at a ceremony in the Palace Hotel, Manchester.

Councillor Jackie Stanton, deputy leader of Oldham Council, said: “The successes that have been achieved in Hollinwood are a shining example of what can be achieved when agencies work together.

“The award is fully deserved and I congratulate all those involved.

“We are now looking to repeat this success story in other parts of the Borough using the work done in Hollinwood as the model.”

Failsworth Inspector David Stopford said: “Right from the launch, the young people have understood why we’re running this dispersal order and seen how groups of young people can be intimidating to other residents.

“They’ve also seen our motivation to put something on for them and these things will continue even though the dispersal order has finished.”