Police and youngsters kick out anti-social behaviour (From Swindon Advertiser)

Police and youngsters kick out anti-social behaviour

1:10pm Monday 11th February 2013 in News By David Wiles

POLICE and youths went head-to-head in a football match organised in a bid to reduce anti-social behaviour.

The seven-a-side game, at the Astro Turf at Dorcan Recreation Complex, was between boys who normally play at the Oakfield Youth First Centre, in Walcot, and a police team of five police community support officers, a police constable and a sergeant.

The event on Friday was organised by Twilight Football, run by Swindon Town Football in the Community Trust, in partnership with Swindon Council and Wiltshire Police.

The trust runs weekly football sessions at various venues across Swindon, including at the Youth First Centre, to encourage youngsters to take part in positive, constructive activities in the evenings.

Dave Chapple, the trust’s football and community development officer, said the Twilight team won 8-7 in what was a friendly match attended by lots of spectators.

He said: “It was very successful, a great opportunity for the Twilight players to face the PCSOs.

“The game was supported by parents and other youths that attend the youth centre, and they produced banners and posters, and they attended the event and stayed for the whole hour as well.

“So that doesn’t only cover reducing anti-social behaviour for those players.

“They had a massive crowd that would have potentially been on the street as well, but they were there, which was very good.

“So they made a lively and fantastic atmosphere, cheering on their youth centre players.”