The South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) has visited a youth session run by the Sheffield Wednesday Community Foundation (SWCF), to see the work they are doing with local young people in Sheffield.
The visit, to the Transport Ground at Meadowhead, was carried out in partnership with the local policing team from Woodseats Police Station. The visit took place as part of the VRU’s efforts to support Operation Sceptre, a national week of police action to tackle knife crime, which ran from 16th May to 22nd May.
During the visit, the VRU and policing team joined in activities with the young people, who were enjoying a game of FIFA inside and a real game of football outside.
The aim of the SWCF’s youth sessions, which are funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, is to engage young people aged 8-14 in the local area, providing activities and guest speakers on a range of topics around crime and safety.
Graham Jones, Head of the South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit said: “The Violence Reduction Unit recognises the importance of engaging young people in positive activities.
“Organisations such as the Sheffield Wednesday Community Foundation play an important role in doing just that, and I’m pleased that the VRU was able to visit to see their youth sessions in action.
“By getting young people involved in sport, and helping them to make healthy life choices, programmes such as this directly support our ambition to prevent and reduce violence in South Yorkshire.”
Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner said: “I want South Yorkshire to be a place in which people both are safe, and feel safe, in which vulnerable people are protected and people are treated fairly.
“On my visits to organisations across South Yorkshire, I frequently see the powerful impact of community programmes and activities in supporting those objectives.
“This includes the Sheffield Wednesday Community Programme, which I have visited on a number of occasions in the past.
“I’m pleased that I have been able to support their work through my grant fund, and that they are continuing to make a positive difference for young people, providing a safe space and the positive role models which are so important in giving them the best possible start in life.”
