A groundbreaking project aimed at addressing antisocial behaviour across Bridgend County Borough was spotlighted at Wales Safer Communities Awards 2024 on 28 November. A collaboration between Bridgend County Borough Council Youth Support and South Wales Police (SWP), supported by Ospreys in the Community, the ‘Tackle after Dark’ scheme claimed the ‘Partnerships’ category award at the ceremony.
‘Tackle after Dark’ is a mobile youth service provision which targets identified areas at specific times when antisocial behaviour is known to be at its highest. With an array of skilled professionals involved, including council youth workers and staff from South Wales Neighbourhood Police teams, the scheme offers inclusive and empowering diversion activities to the youths involved. For example, sporting sessions, topic workshops exploring a range of subjects such as healthy relationships, online safety, drugs and alcohol, as well as other planned educational sessions.
Thanks to the involvement of Ospreys in the Community, rugby opportunities are also available. These include tag rugby, with the ‘Young People versus SWP’, and a free trip to watch an Ospreys match aimed at the most difficult to reach youths.
The 39-week programme succeeds in strengthening working relationships between the council’s youth workers, SWP, and other partners, to support the youths by addressing any possible underlying issues, building self-esteem, as well as offering guidance to make positive life choices and avoid future antisocial behaviour.
Gareth Prosser, Community Safety Manager, Mid Glamorgan Basic Command Unit, said: “The community engagement programme allows young persons in the Bridgend area to develop teamworking and social skills, a sense of wellbeing, character development, resilience, as well as provides a sense of belonging that has seen a reduction in antisocial behaviour in the area.
“The long-term aim is to alert young persons against engaging in certain behaviours and provide pathways and opportunities that will prepare them for future challenges.”
Sergeant Dan Parry, also involved in the scheme, continued: “The engagement has been successful, and with the added involvement of the team from Ospreys in the Community, we have been able to attract even more children and teenagers to engage, deterring them from antisocial behaviour.”
Bridgend Youth Support has witnessed a rise in attendance figures in other council community-based youth provisions since the delivery of the project, and young people have also requested for this work to continue within their communities, admitting that the project has deterred them from behaving antisocially.
As a result of the positive outcomes of the initiative, Bridgend Youth Support has secured additional funding until March 2025 as part of Project Sentinel for further outreach work to continue.
Cllr Martyn Jones, Cabinet Member for Education and Youth Services, said: “What a fantastic achievement!
“It’s wonderful to be recognised at the Wales Safer Communities Awards 2024 as an example of best practice for partnership working!
“‘Tackle after Dark’ illustrates the efficacy of organisations working together, especially in breaking down barriers to reach young people.
“The collaborative project offers meaningful opportunities for youths who often feel overlooked.
“Through nurturing relationships, collective guidance and support, we have enabled them to move toward brighter, more positive futures.
“This award is a testament to the incredible achievements and the unwavering dedication of all the teams involved. Well done all!”
Image (from left to right): Tom Sloane, Osprey’s Community Rugby Officer, PCSO Steve Bowen, Nick White, Foundation Manager for Ospreys in the Community, Gemma Shore, Senior Development Worker (BYS – Bridgend Youth Service), Sergeant Dan Parry, PCSO Jesci Hare, and Tanya Hillman, Post-16 NEET Co-ordinator (BYS).
