Devon leisure centre project helps cut youth crime

The Vibe Youth Leisure Nights project takes place at four leisure centres in the South Hams area of Devon and is aimed at 11- to 19-year-olds. Led by Devon County Council's youth service in partnership with Tone Leisure, the project offers sports and recreational activities as well as workshops that tackle issues such as sexual health.

PC Michael Elliott from Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Since the Vibe project began in 2006 the district’s youth crime statistics have in the main shown a reduction in the types of offences associated with large congregations of young people centred in the area’s market towns in the evening."

In Totnes, criminal damage by young people under 16 years old fell by 58 per cent between 2005 and 2009, and in Dartmouth over the same period there was a 50 per cent drop in assaults and public order offences committed by the same age group.

Jonathan Scott of Devon County Council’s youth service said: "Since our pilot scheme in 2004, young people from market towns and surrounding villages have benefited from things to do, places to go and people to talk to on Friday evenings, which has led to a positive impact on their communities and a reduction in incidents of anti-social behaviour."

He added that the scheme is an important gateway to the youth service and encourages healthy lifestyle choices and regular use of leisure centres throughout the rest of the week.

Those who attend the nights pay a £2 admission fee and gain access to activities such as football, trampolining, swimming and basketball.