Wiltshire police boss hails 'fantastic' scheme steering youngsters away from crime
PL Kicks offers free football sessions to children at risk of being exploited
Last updated 24th Feb 2022
A Wiltshire project, that utilises sport to stop youngsters being caught-up in crime, has been hailed by the county's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).
Over recent years, Premier League (PL) Kicks has seen free activity sessions being offered in Swindon, to children across the region.
Swindon Town's Foundation Park hosts the sessions - which include football, workshops and other activities - on Friday nights. They are usually attended by around 150 people, aged between eight and 18.
The events were launched to tackle violence and instead encourage respect amongst youngsters, steering them away from potentially becoming criminal victims or offenders.
PCC Philip Wilkinson has invested £26,000 of his annual government funding into PL Kicks, as part of a Wiltshire-wide strategy to prevent crime and disorder before it happens.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, Mr Wilkinson explained that he wants to see vulnerable children benefit from the initiative.
"It really is (designed for) those people who are potentially more at risk than others, who perhaps don't get the support that (others) would from their school or families.
"I want to engage those young people into community activities, so they become more responsible, they care for their friends, they care for other people," he said.
'Some hugely enthusiastic people running it'
The Premier League also contributes around £26,000 every year to the scheme, which is run by Swindon Town FC Community Foundation.
Andy Tye, a Community Development Officer from the Foundation, said: "At the forefront of our delivery plan, we're hoping that many of our participants not only engage in more sport and physical activity, but also sustain that for a long period of time".
On Thursday 24 February, a PL Kicks celebration day was held at Foundation Park. The occasion was a major success, featuring boys' and girls' football tournaments, as well as other workshops.
During the event, Mr Wilkinson gave this message to Greatest Hits Radio listeners considering sending their child for a kick-about: "Come and have a look - it is a fantastic facility! There are some hugely enthusiastic people running it".