Spotlight on youngsters' activities

THE spotlight is on leisure opportunities for young people in the Ashbourne area.

A set of portable floodlights has been provided by Derbyshire Dales District Council for use at outdoor sports venues across the district.

Derbyshire Dales Community Safety Partnership won funding for the portable floodlighting, which allows partners to work with young people throughout the year where lighting provision is limited, including rural areas.

The aim of the investment is two-fold - to provide additional healthy activities for young people and to reduce reports of anti-social behaviour.

The floodlights are already in regular use and venues include Darley Dale’s Whitworth Park, where Derby County in the Community runs a weekly coaching session on Wednesday nights.

Derbyshire Dales District Council leader Councillor Lewis Rose, who is also chairman of the Community Safety Partnership, said: “Crime in the Derbyshire Dales is very low, but we are working to get it even lower and the action we are taking with the floodlighting

project comes as a direct result of listening to what local people were telling us.

“The intention is to increase the number and quality of diversionary activities that can be provided for young people during the evening.

"Each year we strive to provide bigger and better opportunities, encouraging young people to be active and, at the same time, celebrating their achievements in each of our major towns and also in rural communities.

“This project is all about partnerships and we will link with the agencies that are currently working in the Derbyshire Dales, such as the Safer Neighbourhood Teams and Derby County in the Community, to ensure a co-ordinated approach is taken to tackle any anti-social behaviour and damage issues that threaten to impact on the Derbyshire Dales’ exemplary safety record.”

Although crime levels in the Derbyshire Dales are among the lowest in England, with only 27 crimes per 1,000 residents, Derbyshire Dales District Council is committed to tackling any reports of anti-social behaviour involving young people.

Simon Carnall, manager of Derby County in the Community, said: “Making sport more accessible with floodlighting is a hugely-positive step, and we look forward to providing more sporting opportunities for young people who are engaging in, or are at risk of engaging in, anti-social behaviour.”

The floodlights are part of a £20,000 package funded by the Safer Communities Board.

Seeing the light ... Derby County in the Community schools development officer Luke Wilkinson with the floodlights and youngsters attending the regular Wednesday evening football coaching session at Darley Dale’s Whitworth Park.