Olympic success can cut crime, says prisons chief

Published on 26/09/2012 00:42

SCOTLAND should build on enthusiasm from the Olympics and upcoming Commonwealth Games to encourage youngsters to get involved in sport and away from crime, the inspector of prisons has said.

Brigadier Hugh Monro, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons in Scotland, has stressed the importance of sport and after-school activities in reducing boredom and tackling antisocial behaviour in his annual report.

“When you consider how our children grow up, particularly in areas of deprivation, children need access to such facilities,” he said. “Given the success of the Olympics and Paralympics, and with the Commonwealth Games in 2014, I see this as a very important bandwagon.”

His comments welcomed by officials. “The Scottish Government believes young people should be out enjoying positive activities rather than going down the wrong path in life,” a spokeswoman said.

“That is why we are investing so heavily, over £46 million so far, through the CashBack for Communities Programme, in providing so many sporting and cultural diversionary activities.”