POLICE and council chiefs are launching a sporting initiative for youngsters which they hope will tackle anti-social behaviour in Winsford.
Youths are being encouraged to take part in a range of sports activities at the Multi-Use Games Area in Wharton every Friday and Saturday night, starting this week.
Vale Royal Borough Council, Cheshire police, Cheshire Fire Service, Weaver Vale Housing Trust and Winsford Youth Forum are all behind the project, devised as part of an ongoing campaign to address anti-social behaviour in the area.
Val Godfrey, the lead councillor for engaging communities, said: 'We listened to the concerns of residents and to what the young people in our borough want, and these activities are just one of the ways in which we can try to meet their needs.
'This is part of an on-going programme of events that we hope to roll out across other areas in Vale Royal where anti-social behaviour is an issue.'
The initiative has funding for three months, and if successful could become a permanent event. Youths aged 13-19 can take part between 6pm and 9pm.
Winsford Insp Ian Gallagher told the Chronicle earlier this month that he believed giving youths something to do would help reduce levels of criminal damage in the town. He said: 'If they are given something to do they aren't going to cause any trouble.'
