Wellington residents are being urged to sign up to a new group that will fight anti-social behaviour and aim to reduce criminal damage in the area.

Adults and youngsters are being asked to come together to set up projects that will help children and teenagers make a positive difference to where they live. The appeal follows a successful scheme by the Arleston Safer Communities Partnership.

Sergeant Paul Franks, from Wellington’s local policing team, said following the initiative in Arleston, criminal damage had dropped by 10 per cent over two years, while incidents of anti-social behaviour had fallen by eight per cent.

Mr Franks said they were now looking to set up a similar group in Wellington and appealed for residents to get involved. The Wellington Youth Engagement Group is helping to push the project forward.

Mr Franks said they would be focusing on helping young people living in the Arleston and Gas Works estates.

He said: “We are looking for diversionary activity for youngsters aged between nine and 19.

“We want to find out what kind of activities they might like to do.”

Mr Franks said as well as reducing problems on the estates, new projects for youngsters would help to boost their self-worth.

The Arleston project was supported by Telford & Wrekin Council, Wellington Town Council, Connexions 4 Youth, Wrekin Housing Trust and West Mercia Constabulary.

Physical improvements were made in the Dawley Road shops area, and volunteers also worked with a group of up to 40 young people. Football-based sessions at Telford College of Arts and Technology were organised, and sessions on alcohol and anti-social behaviour were also held at the learning centre at AFC Telford.

For more information contact Mr Franks by calling (01952) 214880.