A NUMBER of schemes to provide activities for young people in Gunnislake are being pioneered by Callington Police. PCSO for Gunnislake and Calstock Nicole Garcia is working with agencies to develop projects in an area which has suffered problems of anti-social behaviour and has a lack of facilities for young people. The officer has submitted a bid through Caradon District Council for a summer holiday programme of sporting activities aimed at 11 to 16 year-olds, including mountain biking and street dancing and there will be an emphasis on an anti-drugs campaign. Money is also being sought from Youth Opportunities to tackle problems of graffiti such as formulating ideas for an approved mural. And there are plans to start a youth club in Gunnislake. The social club has been identified as a possible venue and an approved youth worker is to be identified. In conjunction with Caradon Council and Penwith Housing, PCSO Garcia has implemented the Woodland Way Project which is aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour on the estate, improving playground facilities and making better use of the community centre. Callington Sgt Brett Phillips said although PCSO Garcia had only been in the job for a short time she was making great strides in the community. He said: 'Nicole is working very very hard and she is a great asset to the team. 'We are confident that we can get the funds to carry out these projects in Gunnislake which has suffered in the past from a lack of police involvement and community engagement.' Police in Callington are reinforcing the message of neighbourhood policing this week as part of nationwide police promotion 'A Name for Every Neighbourhood'. Recent changes have meant that accessibility to the police has improved and each community now has a dedicated officer with the focus on listening to concerns of the residents and working with different agencies to find solutions. Other recent initiatives to tackle crime in the Callington area include Shop Watch and Pub Watch, which is concerned with the exchange of information between retail outlets and licensed premises regarding criminal offences and anti-social behaviour, an award winning neighbourhood watch scheme on the Village Collection in Callington and CATS (Community Action Through Sport.) Plans to create an alcohol-free zone and CCTV scheme in Callington town centre are also moving forward.
