New youth club with positive message

A new youth club in Bury East set up with police help is already proving a success with local young people.

The club operates every Monday evening at the Mosses Centre between 7pm and 8.30pm and caters for ages 10-17 years.

The Mosses Centre is a large community centre that holds more than 40 activities for all ages. It is run by the Mosses Community Association, a local charity that relies on the support of individuals and organisations to run the centre and community activities.

The centre has been working closely with local officers from Bury North neighbourhood policing team, who have recently secured police funding to help set up a youth club to give local young people somewhere to go and something to do in the evenings.

PCSO Andy Bigland said:

“This youth club was implemented due to issues of anti-social behaviour around Spring Street and East Street. This club is away of channelling the energy of young people into having a positive attitude and respect for the community they live in. We have been overwhelmed by the number of young people wanting to join the youth club and have had up to 30 attending each week. We have received positive feedback from parents who are eager to become involved and also young adults who want to become volunteers. Incidents in the local area have decreased and it is hoped that this we will continue.”

The funding has been secured from Greater Manchester Police under Operation Resolute, which aims to tackle anti-social behaviour and acquisitive crime. It has enabled the purchase of a number of items. Those attending the club have written their own wish list, which Smyths Toys in Bury agreed to discount so that the money goes further. The funding will also be used to provide a number of team building sessions.

Peter Firth, chief officer of the Mosses Community Association, said:

“Working in partnership with Greater Manchester Police is a great benefit to the young people from the local community that attend the Mosses.”