Plans to set up youth council

Sedgefield police hope to enlist about a dozen youngsters, aged 15 to 17, to form a youth council for Spennymoor.

The town's beat team will ask secondary school teachers to put them in touch with young people who can contribute to the proposed council and benefit from being involved.

They want a broad spectrum of young people from the town and surrounding villages, including Byers Green, Tudhoe, Middlestone Moor and Kirk Merrington, to join in.

Members would meet regularly, possibly in the Town Hall, and have an elected chairman that could hold the post for a three-month period.

The town's beat officer, PC Dawn Southern, said: "It is an ideal opportunity for youngsters to engage in local matters and push their ideas forward.

"Nobody knows what they want in the area and what will keep them off the streets better than themselves, but they need to tell the right people.

"We know they like the under 18s-discos at The Cube nightclub but they might want youth shelters, clubs, sports facilities and a skate park.

"As a youth council they would have the opportunity to put forward these suggestions to the councils and agencies who can provide them and are more likely to get what they want.

"Also we know that if they've been involved in getting something they take care of it."

Police hope that the move will break down the barriers they feel still exist between authorities and young people and reduce anti-social behaviour and public order offences.

PC Southern said: "A few young people are becoming known to us because we see them hanging about the streets, it's their views we want.

"The group could talk to other young people and explain why we need to move them on sometimes.

"Often they are just bored and perceived to be causing trouble. If they prove they are working for the good of the area the fear of crime should fall."

To get involved in the proposed Spennymoor Youth Council call (01388) 814411.