COMMUNITY chiefs have praised youth initiatives in the Moorlands for helping to reduce incidents of antisocial behaviour.
New figures revealed by Staffordshire Police show that anti-social behaviour incidents in the district have fallen by 22 per cent — to 2,983 — in 2009-10, down from more than 3,800 in 2008-09.
There were just 191 incidents of anti-social behaviour last month, compared with 204 in November and 234 the preceding month.
Within the overall figures, vehiclerelated nuisance has plummeted by 33 per cent and rowdy and inconsiderate behaviour by 25 per cent.
Over the same period, miscellaneous acts of anti-social behaviour dropped by 15 per cent.
The only category of anti-social behaviour to have risen is neighbour disputes, which have increased by 20 per cent.
However, neighbour problems are not associated particularly with young people, say police.
Council chiefs said the Moorlands Together Safer and Stronger Communities Partnership, which has joined forces with other organisations, had played a key role in providing diversionary activities for young people who might have otherwise been getting in trouble.
Among many initiatives provided by a range of Moorlands Together partner organisation to keep youngsters out of trouble include intertown football and boxercise events organised by Staffordshire County Council’s Community and Learning Partnership.
Gill Burton, the district council’s portfolio holder for communities, said: “The vast majority of young people behave themselves. Our role is to work with our partners to encourage positive behaviour from the small minority who get into trouble”.
Other activities for youngsters include fishing trips and bird-watching events, organised as part of a varied programme of outdoor activities involving organisations including Connexions, Moorlands Housing, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and Parkwood Leisure, which manages Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s leisure centres.
Council chiefs have also praised the introduction of CCTV cameras in the region, including those outside individual homes that have been the target of repeated anti-social behavior.
A council spokesman said: “While the provision of diversionary activities is a major contribution to reducing anti-social behaviour, technology also plays a vital role.
“The cameras capture crystal clear sound and vision, providing evidence that Moorlands Together uses to contact the families of the culprits, whose behaviour can range from shouting and swearing to throwing stones or snowballs at windows.”