Police use late-night football to tackle youth crime

Published on 07/12/2006 12:12

POLICE have taken to the football field to fight late-night youth crime - by organising a midnight kick-about.

A series of tournaments will be taking place in West Lothian after a successful pilot scheme which was set-up to help reduce anti-social behaviour earlier this year.

The scheme has received funding from the Scottish Football Association, the Coalfields Regeneration Fund and West Lothian's Antisocial Behaviour Fund. Six leagues for youngsters aged between 12 and 17 have been organised at Livingston, Broxburn, Armadale, Blackburn, Whitburn and West Calder, with games being played on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

Councillors approved the Midnight Football project this week, following a report which showed that the pilot scheme actually cut antisocial behaviour in the area.

Council Leader Graeme Morrice said: "We received a very positive feedback about the success of the pilot scheme at Livingston and Broxburn.

"The new extended scheme is targeted at young people in six of our local communities.

"The programme will be closely monitored and evaluated at the end of the 30-week period.

"We have agreed to call for a follow-up report to consider further expansion of the scheme to other local communities.

"We are also developing an overall strategy to provide a range of sporting and leisure activities across West Lothian."

The project was launched following consultation with young people, West Lothian Council, Lothian & Borders Police, the SFA, West Lothian Youth Action Project and West Lothian Leisure Ltd.