Youth programme changing lives in Irlam as ASB figures continue to fall

A programme tackling the root causes of anti-social behaviour in the Irlam and Cadishead communities has seen ASB figures fall for a third-year, as it continues to produce crime-busting results for the area.

The project – named Reform – was established by Salford officer PC James Byrne, in direct response to the problems that anti-social behaviour was presenting in the Irlam area.

This in particular included reports of young people engaging in criminality, with incidents including vandalism, assaults, and nuisance off-road bikes causing issues with local residents. Other crimes included burglaries, with several reports of break-ins during 2021.

Those identified as being involved in the burglaries had previously been reported as being involved in low-level anti-social behaviour – which is where Reform came in.

The aim was to provide opportunities and activities for young people, stopping them from engaging in ASB and from progressing onto further and more serious crimes.

Since then, the work has seen a notable decrease in instances of anti-social behaviour, with 22 incidents throughout the first four months of this year compared to 51 during the same period in 2021.

Likewise, last year’s total reported incidents had reduced by nearly a third compared in 2021.

Some of the activities organised by the local neighbourhood team include fishing, swimming sessions, and further connections with local youth clubs. Some of these were in direct response to incidents in the area: young people were breaking into leisure club pitches to play: by opening up free sessions for them, they were able to enjoy the games legitimately.

Officers have also worked closely with schools, identifying young people at risk of engaging in criminal behaviour and inviting them to join in the Reform programme or discussing their needs with partner agencies.

While prevention is at the heart of Reform, enforcement work in tackling anti-social behaviour has been an ever-present feature. Hotspot patrolling, letters to young people, and arrests and charges where necessary have been made over the last three years.

PC James Byrne, who has assisted with the programme, said: “When young people begin to fall into criminality – whatever it may be – we want to do what we can to get them out of that cycle as quickly as we can.

“We want to give them the opportunities they need in the community: safe places to enjoy themselves, skill and confidence building activities, as well as guidance, direction and advice.

“While ultimately we want to be doing our best to help the young people in Irlam and Cadishead, we will be making arrests where appropriate, as we will not tolerate crime in our communities.

"For more information, do please get in touch with us by coming along to a PACT meeting or chatting to a local officer on patrol.

"To report any issues or crimes, please call police on 101 or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."