Pilmeny reaching out to young people in the Leith Walk Ward

As part of the Leith Neighbourhood Partnership’s Local Community Plan, Leith SNT officers are working towards a priority, “to create an environment where people feel safe”. The aim is to reduce the number of complaints about youth disorder and complaints of Anti-social behaviour and disturbances. In helping to achieve the objectives set by the Community Plan, Leith Safer Neighbourhood Team have teamed up with the Pilmeny Youth Centre to run an initiative over the winter months targeting underage street drinking. Safer Neighbourhood Officers will team up with youth outreach workers on Friday evenings, visiting local parks and other outdoor areas where young people are known to congregate. Over the coming months police officers and youth workers will be engaging with the young people in order to discourage underage drinking and antisocial behaviour. Youth workers will be armed with free hot chocolate and will be actively looking to encourage young people to engage with existing local youth provision services in the area. Safer Neighbourhood Team officers will be providing advice in relation to personal safety while at the same time discouraging youngsters from antisocial behaviour. Constable Kevin Weaver said “we have built up a good working relationship with the Pilmeny and Citadel Youth Clubs over the years. When dealing with low-level antisocial behaviour it is important to establish a rapport and understanding with the young people. This initiative is an excellent way for us to deter antisocial behaviour while at the same time providing personal safety advice. Full report link below

http://www.marklazarowicz.org.uk/uploads/1570887f-67e9-f8a4-995e-ce8fe01f2c54.pdf