Cricket takes to streets

This article is provided courtesy of the news feed at http://www.newstartmag.co.uk/news

Officers from the Met are using sport to build trust and improve relations with local children on a northeast London estate.

The Peace at the Crease launch, attended by Middlesex and England cricketer Owais Shah, was held at the Priory Court Community Centre in Walthamstow. It aims to provide a positive outlet for young people who may be drawn into joining gangs or become involved in antisocial behaviour.

Police officers from the safer neighbourhoods team will now join youngsters at weekly StreetChance sessions, with children teaching the officers how to play Street20 cricket – a lightening quick version of the game.

In return for coaching, the officers are on hand to discuss any issues concerning the young people, including street safety, stop and search, bullying, drug abuse and knife and gun crime.

The initiative is now running in 15 boroughs across London.

Operations manager Richard Joyce said: ‘Peace at the Crease is a simple concept - encourage officers and young people to play on the same team and it’s no longer “them and us”. They become team members, winning and losing together.

‘Street20 is perfect for taking cricket into estates and inner-city areas: it can be played on hard-court areas, it’s easy to pick up, fast-paced and very inclusive.’