Force sees drop in ASB as Prevention Hub uses power of sport to divert young people away from crime

Incidents of antisocial behaviour (ASB) have dropped by 11.2 per cent across the force area in the past 12 months – as our Prevention Hub continues to channel the power of sport to build positive relationships with young people and divert them away from crime. 

Figures show there were 3,301 fewer recorded incidents of ASB across the force area during 2024 compared to 2023. 

Positive factors that have contributed to this reduction include a range of youth-based diversionary initiatives and activities driven forward by our Prevention Hub - a collaboration between force departments responsible for developing strategies to prevent crime and disorder throughout the city and county.

A sport-based intervention programme, run in collaboration with Support Through Sport, offers a variety of sports sessions and educational inputs in identified antisocial behaviour hotspot areas, giving young people the chance to hone their skills in sports including football, boxing, tennis and dodgeball.

One-to-one mentoring is also provided as part of the programme, to help young people develop CVs and career pathways, as well as arts and craft sessions and important skills development workshops.

Free weekly sessions are held at the Birch Park Community Hub in Bilborough, the Brendon Lawrence Sports Centre in St Ann’s, and the Crabtree Community Centre in Bulwell.

These 12-week sports sessions, which are supported by our Schools Early Intervention Officers (SEIOs), are designed to channel young people’s energy in a more positive way, whilst embedding youth work and providing one-to-one mentoring to young people who may already be involved in or deemed to be at risk of involvement in negative influences.

Educational topics relate to antisocial behaviour prevention within the local community and are aimed at encouraging young people to make positive life choices and raising their aspirations, as well as highlighting consequences of negative behaviour.

These action-packed sessions are just part of a much wider ongoing force strategy designed to prevent and reduce antisocial behaviour, which is a key priority for Nottinghamshire Police.

Among the other exciting sports-based initiatives taking place this year, to help combat this issue and bring communities together, include the hotly anticipated return of our popular Community Kicks football tournament.

The annual event is a community-focused initiative that uses football as a universal language to foster positive relationships between police officers and young people.

Around 300 players enjoyed and benefitted from last year’s event, and this year’s tournament – due to be held at the University of Nottingham’s David Ross Sports Village on 13 July – is set to be even bigger and better.

Last year’s event saw over 1,000 attendees from communities across Nottinghamshire, providing them with a safe platform to engage with police and partners as well as valuable educational inputs on topics including knife crime awareness.

As well as the feast of football action, this year’s event will once again include a range of fun activities for all the family as well as engagement and educational activities provided by force departments.

Other current Prevention Hub-driven initiatives, aiming to strengthen relationships and inspire positivity among young people, include working with Nottingham Forest Community Trust to host the Premier League Kicks football programme.

This successful scheme is currently held in Sutton-In-Ashfield on Monday nights, with further locations being set up at Newark and Gresham Sports Park in West Bridgford. 

Free ice skating and educational classroom sessions are also being provided to young people as part of an initiative to improve the lives of vulnerable children in Nottingham. 

Nottinghamshire Police has partnered with the city’s National Ice Centre to provide 10 weeks of free ice-skating sessions for around 30 children, including those who are vulnerable or socially excluded. The Friday evening sessions are running from January 31 until April 4. 

The boys and girls, aged between 11 and 16, have each been identified by officers who support socially excluded and vulnerable children, or those at greater risk of becoming involved with crime. 

First launched as a successful pilot in January 2024, the scheme welcomed a second group of young people in September last year and is now an annual initiative. 

The programme, known as Operation Polarised, aims to provide the children with a safe space to socialise, make new friends, and learn new skills whilst also delivering educational sessions on topics including personal safety, knife crime, and child sexual exploitation 

Alongside officers at the skating sessions, specially trained ice centre staff will be available that young people can approach with any concerns and receive appropriate safeguarding support. 

Assistant Chief Constable Suk Verma said: “The reduction we’ve seen in antisocial behaviour during 2024 is encouraging and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to preventing and proactively tacking this crime type. 

“It’s really pleasing that we’ve been able to bring our communities together through their passion for sport, enabling young people to excel and engage positively with our police officers and partners who have been in attendance at these events.

“Youth engagement across Nottinghamshire is really important to us for building trust and confidence, as well as helping to prevent young people from becoming involved in crime and antisocial behaviour by giving them the opportunity to channel their energy in a more positive and productive way through sporting activities.”

Participation in sport is just one of the many methods our Prevention Hub is continuing to use to engage with young people and communities. 

Other initiatives which have been seen to have a positive impact, reducing antisocial behaviour and strengthening community cohesion, include bespoke targeted work by our dedicated Youth Outreach Team, educational and early intervention work by our SEIOs, and our Mini Police and Cadet schemes which continue to educate young people, enabling them to learn important life skills as well as diverting them away from engaging in criminal behaviour.