Youth intervention funding

Funding of £18,500 from the Department of Justice could provide youth programmes aimed at tackling anti social and criminal behaviour in the borough, a council committee has been told.
The Braid. (Editorial Image)The Braid. (Editorial Image)
The Braid. (Editorial Image)

Mid & East Antrim Council’s Community Planning Committee agreed at their May meeting to accept the funding offer on behalf of the borough’s Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP).

Proposals had been invited from PCSPs by the DoJ Community Safety Division to reduce anti-social and criminal behaviour through Priority Youth Intervention programmes in 2016-2017 with total funding of £124k made available.

Councillors were told that the £18.5k offer of funding for Mid & East Antrim PCSP would provide diversionary activities for young people ‘in key locations and at key times’ and would include programmes that address issues in innovative and challenging ways including tackling issues such as sectarianism, community safety, drugs and alcohol.

While Counciillor Lynn McClurg proposed and Ald Geraldine Mulvenna seconded acceptance of the offer on the PCSP’s behalf, both expressed disappointment that it was less than the £45k originally sought. However, Council Officer Karen Hargan said they had “done well” receiving a “proportionate share” of the NI £124K total.