Youngsters in Shropshire have been praised for taking part in a three-day outdoor adventure as part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour.

The county’s police chief presented the youngsters with special certificates of achievement for taking part in the event near Shrewsbury.

More than 20 young people completed various activities organised by police officers and the Shropshire Army Cadet Force at the Army’s Nesscliffe Training Camp earlier this year.

Most of them were able to attend a reunion and presentation at Shrewsbury’s Copthorne Barracks, where Chief Superintendent Andy Rowsell, Shropshire divisional police commander, presented them with certificates in recognition of completing an outreach development project earlier this week.

Working with youngsters has become an important role for Local Policing Teams across the county as they try to encourage new interest and respect for other sections of the community to try to curb anti-social behaviour.

The project covered military field-craft techniques, drill, rock-climbing, arch-ery, a five-mile map reading exercise, mountain biking, first-aid training and a team obstacle competition. Some of the youngsters also took part in rock climbing and golf courses.

Parents were also invited to the presentation ceremony which featured a photographic display showing the youngsters taking part in the outdoor adventure.

Mr Rowsell, who praised those involved for successfully completing the exercises, also presented the young people with British Heartstart Foundation first-aid qualifications together with caps and T-shirts.

Those taking part in the Nesscliffe adventure came from Shrewsbury, Much Wenlock, Broseley and Highley.

More than 60 young people have taken part in joint police and Army Cadet Force organised schemes so far this year.

The two organisations work closely together to promote the police youth engagement policy in Shropshire, largely due to the ACF Commandant Colonel Mike Watkins, who works as a police Community Support Officer at Much Wenlock.