Success Of Newport Football Sessions Hailed

The success of two football sessions held for young people in Newport last week has been hailed.

The sessions, which took place on Wednesday 25 August, were organised by the Newport Local Policing Teams and Telford & Wrekin Council and were aimed at boys and girls aged between 5 and 15.

The first session was held in the morning at Church Aston playing fields, while the second session was held in the afternoon at Tibberton playing fields.

At each of the sessions an inflatable five-a-side football pitch was erected for the young people to use and play matches on.

Speaking about the success of the two sessions, PC Dave Hancocks, local policing officer for the Newport Rural ward, said:

"In total 16 children came to the football session in Church Aston, while 20 then came to the later session in Tibberton. This was a great turn-out and we were really pleased to see so many smiling faces.

"The children left both events tired and more than a little muddy but all involved appeared to have a great time. CSOs Andy Protheroe and Steve Robinson also enjoyed taking part on the day and it's fair to say that they went home tired and happy too!

"These sessions again provided us with a great opportunity to engage with young people from our ward in a more informal setting and it was also good to be able to speak with so many parents on the day as well. Hopefully events like this will continue to further develop a healthy respect between ourselves and the younger people within the community we serve."

To find out more about your own local policing team, or PACT (Partners and Communities Together), please log on to the local policing section of the West Mercia Police website at www.westmercia.police.uk/localpolicing/.

Issued: Wednesday 1 September 2010