NEWS STORY: MARCH 2007

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Northwards in the news

'Operation Care' works to tackle antisocial behaviour

Children participating in Operation care

Groups of young people in Newton Heath have been learning hard-hitting facts of life in recent weeks - whilst having fun with remote controlled cars. Sounds like a contradiction in terms, but residents and shop keepers say it's working.

Northwards Housing's wardens came up with the winning idea a few months ago. One of the Wardens, Lee Roberts said, "There were huge groups of young people hanging around and there had been problems with antisocial behaviour (ASB). We knew something had to be done for them."

When Lee and his colleague, Alan Greensmith heard about some funding from the government's Respect Agenda, they grabbed the chance to set up 'Operation Care' - a unique 10 week Friday night programme to get the youngsters into a setting where they could learn the tough facts of life and the real effects of ASB. Lee also invited representatives from drugs agencies, youth intervention schemes and the police to talk tough to the lads.

Station Commander Jon Crawley from Ancoats' Thompson Street Fire Station was happy to host 'Operation Care' in their community room - on the condition that he could talk to them too. He said, "It's been marvellous to be involved in this programme. We've never seen anything like it before and we're thrilled to be part of it."

Chris Parker, one of the lads taking part said, "Watching the video about calling the fire station out for no reason was really sad. It made me not want to do it again."

So, with all this hard talk, how did they manage to get the lads to come back week after week? Alan explains, "We attracted the lads by making and racing remote control cars at the end of each session - and if they get through the whole programme with full attendance and clean records, we'll take them go-karting at a professional track."

If the lads committed any ASB during the programme, they'd lose 'points', but could earn them back by taking part in street cleaning days. Lee says, "On one session, they filled 22 bags of litter! And they came back the week after."

Carmine Grimshaw, the owner of 'Fresh and Frozen' in Newton Heath said, "Operation Care has been running outside my shop and it's had a very, very positive impact on the community."

Coming to the end of its first run, the places where they used to hang out have changed. The overgrown land has been chopped down, the hide-out garages have been pulled down and there are few traces of vandalism left.

Lee said, "I've worked with young people all my life and out of all of the schemes of its kind, this is the best. No youth project can do what Operation Care is doing."

Northwards Housing's Chair, Ade Alao said, "I'm thrilled that our Wardens are taking it upon themselves to run this innovative project. The work they do is amazing and we're all really proud of what's being achieved in the area to tackle anti-social behaviour."

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