Positive Futures Sports Lincs

Funding: £200,000 over three years from a number of agencies, including Humberside Police and Positive Futures

This partnership between the police, a professional football club, youth services and sports development at North East Lincolnshire Council has led to a reduction in crime.

The Sports Lincs project started in the town of Immingham, which had problems with gangs, antisocial behaviour and low-level crime. Under the leadership of neighbourhood police officer PC Paul Caswell, football sessions were set up and quickly attracted young men from the area, including those involved with gangs.

The sessions were successful in reducing low-level crime across the town and led to the model being repeated. There are now 29 weekly sports activities in 13 locations across North East Lincolnshire. Mark Cullum, development manager at the council, said: "We can't say the reduction in crime is all down to the football but it must be contributing. We are now planning a workshop for the force's other divisions so they can run their own schemes."