25/10/2005

Police and NSPCC launch 'Leisurewatch' initiative

A new initiative aimed at promoting an inter-agency response to reduce the risk of harm to children and young people in public leisure facilities, has been launched today.

The 'Leisurewatch' project involves police and the NSPCC training staff in council leisure facilities to spot suspicious behaviour. Systems are also set up to provide a link between the leisure site and police so that incidents can be reported and investigated.

Newtownabbey is the first council in Northern Ireland to qualify for the scheme while plans are already advanced for other councils to sign up to the scheme.

Superintendent Andrew McQuiggan, head of PSNI Community Safety Branch, said: “The Police Service regards the safety of children as a fundamental concern. 'Leisurewatch' has operated successfully in England for a number of years and the Police Service is delighted to be able to fund its operation in Northern Ireland.

“We want to work with the NSPCC and councils to increase awareness of the potential risks posed to children in public leisure spaces, reduce the risks posed by adults who may offend by educating responsible groups in the community and empower those responsible groups to act effectively within the rule of law.”

'Leisurewatch' is a community-based project that aims to reduce the risk of harm posed by adults to children and young people. In Northern Ireland, it is funded by the PSNI and managed by the NSPCC as a multi-agency project that brings together key groups responsible for child protection with frontline workers in the leisure industry.

(MB/SP)

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