Commissioner visits project supporting young people and tackling ASB

The project, being delivered by Penwortham Town Council, First Kick Foundation and other partners, has been ran out of Penwortham Community Centre and includes a preventative engagement programme, combined with sessions focusing on changing behaviours.

The programme worked with hundreds of young people between 12 and 17, across the summer holiday period, focusing on the Kingsfold area, building on existing positive youth engagement provision led by First Kick Foundations team of youth workers, in and around the Kingsfold area.

The First Kick Foundation Youth Workers delivered a blended youth club, sport and physical activity offer. The sessions increased positive decision making and resilience, improving the confidence of young people, whilst helping divert those at risk of getting involved in crime or ASB.

The project has been supported with money from the Commissioner’s Community Fund, which utilises cash seized from criminals and invests it back into Lancashire. The summer round of funding saw £130,000 provided to projects across the county all preventing crime and anti-social behaviour.

This investment further boosted the work of police and local councils over the summer holiday to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour in town centres and create positive opportunities and safer streets as part of the Government’s #SaferStreetsSummer campaign.

Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire said:

“It’s clear from speaking with those delivering the project—and the young people involved—just how much of a difference this initiative is making in our communities. Like many others across Lancashire, it’s a powerful example of how targeted support can change lives.

“The success of this scheme is down to the strength of its partnerships. By working together and making good use of modest funding, we’re reaching the right people in the right way and helping to prevent crime.

“Projects supported by my Community Fund give young people the tools, confidence, and guidance to make positive choices. They help build safer, stronger communities for everyone—while turning money seized from criminals into something that protects and empowers the people of Lancashire.”

Tom Hutton, Head of Foundation at First Kick Foundation said:

“All partners and colleagues at First Kick Foundation are proud of the partnership formed in Kingsfold, between Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioners Office, Penwortham Town Council, Lancashire Partnership Against Crime  and Lancashire Police, which has led to a significant number of vulnerable young people, being able to take part in a range of community based mentoring and behaviour change programmes.

“Through the support of Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner’s office and Penwortham Town Council, First Kick Foundation has been able to facilitate an increase of over 180 visits into professionally delivered, youth work activities, equipping young people with the confidence, skillset to both realise and achieve their potential.”

Marie Curran, Town Manager at Penwortham Town Council said:

Penwortham Town Council are pleased to have worked in partnership with First Kick Foundation, the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office and LANPAC to provide a programme of engagement activities for young people in the local area of Kingsfold in Penwortham this Summer.