Staffordshire Police

Cobridge ROC Café aims to cut youth crime levels

A youth project which has successfully tackled anti-social behaviour in cities across the country has launched in the Potteries.

The ROC Cafe officially opened in Cobridge Community Centre yesterday in a venture that will see workers from Urban Expression Cobridge team up with a range of bodies, including Staffordshire Police.

The scheme will run every Thursday during school term-time and act as a resource for youngsters aged 11 and over.

A range of activities will be on offer including table tennis, craft, game console competitions and the chance to pick up skills in cooking and drama.

Leaders behind the initiative, which is currently running in Manchester and Sheffield, claim the project can help cut anti-social behaviour by around 50 per cent.

Debra Green, director of ROC, which stands for Redeeming Our Communities, said: "We want to provide a safe place for young people to come and enjoying some activities and even learn some new skills.

"It is something that helps reduce crime and in other areas there have been reductions of 35 to 55 per cent.

"We are keen to start more ROC Cafes across Stoke-on-Trent."

Inspector Martin Brereton, local policing commander for the area, said, said: "In times when service provisions are being removed it's nice to see something like ROC Cafe open up as it is providing an essential service.

"We want to encourage young people from all over the area to come and use the facility."

The sessions, which will be staffed by volunteers, will run from 3.45pm to 5.30pm.  Reverend Howard Jones, of Waterloo Road, a team leader of Urban Expression, said: "We identified there wasn't much for young people in this area and this offers them something."

The scheme has been funded by Christian charity Seedbed.

Latest Staffordshire Police figures show that in February, there were 160 reports of anti-social behaviour in the area covering Cobridge.

Justine Marsh, who is a PCSO in the area, is volunteering with the project.  The 40-year-old from Packmoor, said: "This is a good chance for the police to build some relationships with the young people and they will see that we are approachable."

Lydia Palmer, aged 46, from Burslem, who helps with the Pathways Community Project at St John's Church, added: "I think this is a unique way to build up the community here."

For information on starting a ROC Cafe visit www.redeemingourcommunities.org.uk (Opens in new window)