A parents committee has been formed in Moulsham as part of an ongoing initiative to tackle youth boredom in the area.
The committee was established on the back of a youth survey compiled by the Moulsham community beat officer, Pc Adrian Elmer, to investigate available youth facilities.
It was carried out among 12 to 16-year-olds and followed meetings with parents, youths and the youth service to try and solve the problem of youngsters congregating by shops.
Pc Elmer said the results of the survey, and subsequent meetings, had led to the establishment of a parents group.
"The parents have decided to form a committee so they can be totally involved with what the young people want and need. They will work together, with us, the police, the youngsters themselves and the youth service.
"We took the surveys out on two nights to distribute to the youngsters. I helped give them out, along with Chelmsford crime reduction officer Kathy Payne and a number of parents. We were very pleased with the way the youths handled the survey, giving serious answers as to what they wanted in their area. The young people are very receptive and keen to help, which is important, as this is all for them," he said.
Out of those surveyed, 93 per cent said they met at Moulsham shops, 86 per cent attended Moulsham youth club, and a further 10 per cent went to alternative clubs.
Football and basketball proved to be the facilities wanted most at the youth club, each receiving 20 per cent of the votes, followed by activities including discos, Sky television, a sofa, pool table, air hockey and music.
Tuesday proved to be the most popular night for the young people to have the facilities, getting 80 per cent of the votes, with the other nights receiving around 50 per cent.
Pc Elmer said: "Eighty per cent of people said they would use the facilities during the school holidays, and 43 per cent said they were prepared to pay for them. I am really pleased with the way things are going in Moulsham and it's really good to see everyone working together."
Published Wednesday, April 30, 2003
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