Atherton Online

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has made £5,000 available to the Nowt 2 Do youth project in Atherton. 

The money was made available through Payback, GMP’s project to ensure criminal gains are taken from offenders and ploughed back into communities, and was allocated after police officers nominated schemes they felt would benefit most from it. 

The Nowt 2 Do campaign was set up under the school based police officer project to address anti-social behaviour across Atherton, Tyldesley and Astley Mosley Common. 

It involves police working with Fred Longworth, Hesketh Fletcher and St Marys high schools to provide sporting and creative activities for young people such as cycling, football, healthy eating workshops, drama and dance classes, skateboarding, gardening and DJ / MC lessons. 

All activities are free to anyone who hasn’t been involved in anti-social behaviour, but it is still possible for those who have been in trouble to join in after being interviewed by PC Andy Wright who runs the scheme. 

PC Wright said: “Reducing anti-social behaviour is one of our top priorities, and young people hanging around on streets often tell us there is ‘nowt to do’ where they live.  Police and local schools are therefore strongly committed to this scheme, and all events are free to those taking part.   

“The activity workshops have been a huge success and attended by hundreds of young people since the start of the school year back in September.  Getting them involved in activities will not only keep them off the streets but could also spark an interest in things they didn’t know they enjoyed.” 

For more information on Nowt 2 Do contact PC Wright on 0161 856 7319 or go to: www.flhs.org.uk/nowt2do/index.html

To contact the Atherton Neighbourhood Policing Team call 0161 856 7319 or email atherton.apt@gmp.police.uk

For non-emergency calls or to report crime call police on 0161 872 5050 or for more information visit gmp.police.uk/wigan

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.   

Use 999 only in emergencies where there is a threat to life or crime in progress.   

Police across Wigan borough are now delivering the Policing Pledge, giving people a clear minimum standard of service they can expect from their Neighbourhood Policing Teams.   

Find out more at gmp.police.uk/pledge