Watford youngsters diverted from anti-social behaviour

A course designed to divert young people in Watford away from anti-social behaviour has had a positive effect on the lives of those who attended. The Linkz Up project is a joint venture between Watford Safer Neighbourhood Team and the ‘Linkz-up’ team and aims to provide a structured environment for young people to learn and develop practical skills. The project saw six young people, aged 13 to 18, attend weekly sessions during their six week summer holidays, being trained in bicycle maintenance in the community room at Asda. Mentored by Steve Boydsmith of the Linkz-up project and local PC Mo Huzair, the young people were also given advice about personal development. During the period of the course and in the two months since it finished, the young people have not been involved in anti-social behaviour and two of the boys have since taken up work placements which is intended to result in apprenticeships and full time employment. PC Mo Huzair of the Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “The aims of the project were to provide a medium whereby the young people could learn new skills, improve their relationships with police, provide them with skills which they will be able to take forward in their future lives and offer new opportunities which they may not have previously had. “During the course the young people displayed enthusiasm and engaged with us. We continue to keep in touch with them and I’m pleased that two of the boys have now signed up to and are actively involved in work placements as a result.” Chief Inspector for Watford Dave Wheatley said: “I cannot speak more highly of the young people involved in this project and the commitment they showed to building news skills. I’m delighted that it has had such a positive effect on their lives. “This is just one of the ways the Safer Neighbourhood Team works in Watford to tackle anti-social behaviour. Day in, day out, police officers and PCSOs are working with partner agencies to improve the quality of life for residents by reducing anti-social behaviour.”