Next week is Criminal Justice Week and Wednesday 14 June is designated as Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour Day.  Newtownabbey Community Safety Partnership is endeavouring to ensure the residents of the Borough that it is working to tackle Anti-Social Behaviour.

The Newtownabbey Community Safety Partnership has recently commented that it is aware, through consultation, that anti-social behaviour has a devastating impact on individuals, destroys communities and erodes the overall quality of life of our society. Through the development of the first ever local community safety strategy and action plans it will provide the necessary vehicle for the delivery of local solutions to local problems.

The partnership is funding several projects to tackle anti-social behaviour including the following:

Summer Splash- a 3 day programme of activities for 13-17 year olds running from 3-5 July 2006 at Loughshore Park.  The events will include a Jump Zone with Bungee ropes and trampolines, DJ and Street Art workshops.

Midnight Street Soccer- A 5-a-side league which will run for 12 weeks 9pm-midnight and provide youth with an exciting diversionary activity at a time when they are most likely to engage in ASB.  The championship will kick off on 26 August 2006 at University of Ulster at Jordanstown with the final week at the JJB Soccer Dome in Dundalk.  Tranport will be provided to give young people from across the Borough the opportunity to participate.

Drama Workshops- This project will provide live, interactive and issue based workshops/performances to tackle relevant local Community Safety issues.  It will explore, amongst other things, the impact of ASB on others. It is our intention that this project will be delivered in the 7 post primary schools in the Borough.

For further information on the partnership contact Elaine Manson at Newtownabbey Borough Council on 028 9034 0070.