Youth Engagement and Crime Prevention event

Young people meeting Deputy Mayor, Mohammed Zaman at Rochdale Leisure Centre

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Young people participated in youth engagement and crime prevention event at Rochdale Leisure Centre on Friday 7 July.

The purpose of this event was to promote cohesion, engagement and awareness of crime prevention.

The event also raised awareness about sports, crimes, prevention and consequences of criminal behaviours. This was also an interactive session delivered by Choose life project, a Liverpool based charity run by volunteers in inform young people through role plays about the harmful effects of misuse of Drugs and its effects on people’s lives. Local Charity Early Break was also involved in providing useful information to young people on site.

Chief Inspector Hill from Greater Manchester Police opened the event together with senior youth Officer Jayne Taylor from Rochdale Youth Service, welcoming and highlighting the importance of youth engagement, empowerment and work with young people to support them with positive activities.

The event was also attended by Saj Miah, Principal Community Cohesion & Equality Officer from Neighbourhood Services, to witness sports and training opportunities available to young people and how to develop and support young people from deprived neighbourhoods and backgrounds.

Deputy Mayor Mohammed Zaman was the chief guest, he said: “We are pleased for Rochdale youth Service, GM police, GM fire and rescue services, Deeplish Community Centre, and early break's participation in helping to put this event for young people.

“This is an excellent example of unity amongst youths and youth engagement in well organised and supervised friendly environment where everyone participates, learn and enjoy.”

MP for Rochdale Tony Lloyd also attended and spoke with many young people.

Sohail Ahmad, operations Manager for Deeplish community Centre said: "We are always pleased to promote positive activities and engage with young people through sports activities.

"This not only provides a platform to promote partnership towards youth matters but also brings agencies together to empower young people and build really good links to be united and safe."

The project was developed whilst working in partnership with GMP officers, Deeplish Community Centre, Rochdale youth Service, Link 4Life, Early Break, GM Fire and Rescue services, Choose Life project and the young people who attend the Friday Fusion session held at Central Leisure Centre on a weekly basis.