3:50pm Wednesday 17th March 2010
By David Watkinson
A YOUTH project in Hyndburn has been credited with a drop in crime worth almost £294,000.
Police said the Paul Hunter Foundation youth group in Church has such a dramatic effect on reducing anti-social behaviour in the area it had saved local taxpayers hundreds of thousands of pounds.
The popular youth club, run by North Lancs Training Group and police community officers, is based at the Cuemaster Snooker Club, Blackburn Road.
It regularly attracts up to 50 youngsters to its nights.
PC Rob Flanagan, from the Young Persons Neighbourhood Operational Team, said: “The difference that this club has made in its local area is very real and very stark.
“It really shows that projects that are put in place in areas where there are problems can have a big impact.”
He said that Blackburn Road has seen a 20 per cent reduction in criminal damage since the project began in September 2008 and Church has seen a 27 per cent reduction.
This equates to preventing £294,000 worth of criminal damage, police said.
The club operates two nights a week giving a blend of snooker activities in an informal setting.
NLTG’s world snooker coach, Chris Lovell, said: “These are staggering figures and we would like to thank all our partners, in particular the Lancashire Young People’s Service and Harvest Housing who have supported the snooker youth club with funding.
“The main objective of the Paul Hunter Foundation is to provide free snooker, to get disadvantaged children off the streets.
“We have had a lot of support from the charity and in particular Steve Davis the snooker professional who has been a real inspiration.
“He has been to the club on a number of occasions to meet everyone.”
The club is also supported by Sharon Burch from the police youth offending team.
He said the club works on the concept of providing a ‘snooker disco’ for the youngsters, with just 15 minute frames and music playing.
The club meets every Tuesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm. A sister club has also been set up at the Elite Snooker Club in Towngate, Great Harwood, from 5.30pm to 8.30pm on Tuesdays.
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