Plans are now well advanced to launch the 24th and 25th schemes in London, with Hammersmith and Fulham borough all set to join the fun, along with a Royal Parks initiative. The month of March is fast becoming a very busy month for the project, with Hammersmith looking to launch on 27/28th, and the Parks project a week earlier. Details have yet to be finally confirmed, but Hammersmith will be looking to launch their Met-Track initiative at the famous Linford Christie Stadium, in West London, while the Parks will be setting up base in Regents Park.
The Royal Parks have long wanted to join the fray, combining with both Camden and Westminster boroughs in seeking youth engagement agency partnerships. Again there has been immense support from local services, and this will be a unique scheme available to young Londoners right in the centre of the Capital.
Hammersmith's launch has been coordinated by Police Community Support Officer Mel McClure, who has pout an immense amount of work into making things happen out west, not least in raising all the funds to support it.
Scheme Director, John Powell, said: "I am delighted we have another two schemes launching this year. We have launched in 23 boroughs to date, although a couple of those have stalled since, so this will enable us to continue to hover around the 20-22 mark of active schemes, which is terrific."
The project continues to thrive all over London despite the challenging weather conditions of late. "Obviously our schemes that are based in schools carry on regardless," said John, "but even those outdoor projects at tracks around London have continued into the New Year. As Spring approaches we can usually expect an upturn in attendance."
Met-Track is currently collating its 2010 returns, and the subsequent evaluation is likely to again reflect an 85% non-re offending rate among participants.
