Local Policing Team Helps Organise Village Fun Days

Police have helped organise fun days in two villages near Shrewsbury as part of their policy to engage with young people.

The days are being staged at Dorrington and Cressage during the early part of the summer holidays with a host of activities lined up for youngsters of all ages.

The Local Policing Team for Shrewsbury Rural South obtained funding for the events from the Burnell and Severn Valley Local Joint Committee. Cressage Parish Council is also involved.

Dorrington summer fun day is on Friday 30 July at the recreation ground followed by Cressage summer fun day on August 6 at the village playing fields. Both events run from 10am to 3pm.

Attractions include the Youth Service bus and Reccy Rangers vans, a barbecue, DJ Stockcube, circus skills, making bird feeders, roller skating and water slides.

The Reccy Rangers will also attend the mini Olympics at Brompton Playing Fields in Cross Houses on 31 August from 10am to 3pm.

PC Dave Harte, the local policing officer for Shrewsbury Rural South, said the fun days coincide with West Mercia Police Respect Week, running from July 26 promoting the wide range of diversionary activities run by local police and their partners to prevent young people becoming involved in anti-social behaviour.

He said: "Local policing teams throughout the Shrewsbury area are engaging young people in many different activities as part of this approach. This youth inclusion policy has been operating for several years and has been effective in significantly reducing anti-social behaviour in many areas.

"It focuses on providing enjoyable projects for young people to take part in while we seek to get them involved in doing things which will benefit the local community. As a result, everyone wins.

"It's all about building bridges between the police and young people by providing them with constructive things to do which in turn helps develop respect for others. This approach has really been successful as shown by the considerable reductions in anti-social behaviour in many areas," PC Harte added.

Issued: Wednesday 28 July 2010