CALLINGTON Community College has joined forces with the police and Plymouth Argyle to reduce criminal damage and anti-social behaviour during the school holidays. The Kick Off programme began at the college sports centre last Friday and will run for six weeks, with the aim of engaging young people aged 12 to 17 in football. It is an opportunity to learn new skills, develop knowledge of the game and play matches and is part of the Community Action Through Sports (CATS) project launched earlier in the year which promotes and rewards positive behaviour in the community. Alan Yendell from Callington Sport and Leisure, based at the college, said the project came out of discussions between the college and the police and local youngsters about anti-social behaviour at schools during weekends and holidays. Last summer, the college suffered £26,000 of damage after vandals went on the rampage. A group of young people between the ages of 13 and 19 were found to be responsible and subsequently sentenced by the court. ?The children felt that there was nothing for them to do and sometimes that barriers were put up to them accessing our facilities and programmes, like the price and transport.? he said. ?The CATS programme and Argyle?s Football in the Community are working together to offer these sessions, which will cost £1 each, and involve young people in our community more.? A ?Groovy Graffiti? project on August 28 and 29, also part of the CATS project, will revamp the front entrance and porch of Callington Youth Centre. Callington Sgt Brett Phillips said CATS was ultimately about trying to divert young people from anti-social behaviour and crime and build bridges between the police, youth community and other agencies. He said: ?One of the force priorities at the moment is to reduce criminal damage. ?Projects like this are to engage the youth so they feel more involved and do not want to commit criminal damage.? Football sessions will run from 7pm to 8.30pm and a free minibus service, bringing participants from Gunnislake to Callington and back again, will operate each week. It is hoped as a result of this programme some young people will become involved in supporting tournaments and festivals later in the year. To book a place contact Alan Yendell on 01579 383477. Groovy Graffiti will run from 10am to 3pm and anyone interested should call Jane Carter of Callington Youth Service on 07973 813834.
