No Time For Crime

By his own admission, Cameron was a nuisance in his local neighbourhood, but after help from Irwell Valley – it’s all change for the problem teenager.

Now, 13 year old Cameron is enjoying time in the media spotlight on Radio Manchester after taking part in a competition to design out crime in trouble spots in Salford.

Once a part of the problem – trespassing on neighbours’ properties, smashing down fences and causing a noise nuisance – Cameron has changed his behaviour as a result of an anti-social behaviour intervention programme initiated by Irwell Valley and national charity Catch22.

Irwell Valley’s Neighbourhood Manager, Heather Mullins and Norman Lloyd, Catch22 National Programme Manager for Prudential 4 Youth enlisted support and sponsorship from Manchester Arndale, University of Salford, Greater Manchester Police and Salford and Manchester local authorities to devise a community programme with groups of young people from Manchester and East Salford to come up with their own design ideas to help tackle crime and anti-social behaviour issues in their local community.

Cameron is one of the youngsters taking part in the Design Against Crime Youth Challenge. He and his group identified an area in Salford Precinct where they observed drug addicts, obscene behaviour and other anti-social behaviour. After conducting surveys with shoppers and local business, they have come up with their own unique ideas to design out crime in the area.

Heather Mullins says:
“We approached Salford and Manchester local authorities to consider the benefit of a cross partnership agreement to create diversionary projects for young people. I'm delighted with how those early proposals have taken shape through the expertise and invaluable support of the Design Against Crime Solutions Centre, Manchester Arndale and Prudential 4 Youth. Engaging
and involving young people in imaginative and creative projects that will improve their environment leads to sustainable solutions and benefits everyone."

Norman Lloyd, Catch22 National Programme Manager for Prudential 4 Youth added:
“This is a fantastic opportunity for young people in Manchester and Salford which will help to change the often negative perceptions that appear in the press. Prudential 4 Youth projects have demonstrated that, given opportunities of this kind, young people bring imagination and innovation to tackling difficult community issues.”

Cameron will pitch the group’s ideas in front of a panel of judges at a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style event at the Birdcage, Tuesday November 24 and if their entry wins, they could see their ideas adopted to redesign parts of Salford Precinct.

You can hear an interview with Cameron, Beryl Hawke Irwelll Valley resident and Chair of Albert Park Tenants' Group and Michael Redford, Irwell Valley’s Deputy Managing Director, Neighbourhoods in a special feature on the Drive Time Show on Radio Manchester, Tuesday November 24 between 5.00pm – 6.00pm.