The X-Zones are an exciting new concept aimed at providing young people age aged between 11 and 21 with a host of fun-packed activities to keep them off the streets and safe during the busiest nights of the week.
£55,000 of government, police and council money is being used to trial the X-Zones each Friday and Saturday at various locations in Wigan and Leigh for three months.
The team behind the X-Zones – spearheaded by Wigan Council’s Youth Service – includes the police, fire service, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, ward councillors along with various council teams such as the youth services, community safety and young people’s drug and alcohol team.
So what’s on offer?
Sheila Martland from Wigan Council’s Youth Service explains: “X-Zones are designated areas where young people come to and enjoy activities. There will be indoor and outdoor activities and include everything from sports such as football training through to cultural and artistic activities such as music and recording.
“We would also like young people to see the X-Zones as just a great place to socialise, hang out and chat.”
Young people who want to be part of the X-Zones will have to get permission from their parents and sign up to a strict set of rules about how they will behave.
The ground rules include:
- No drinking or drugs;
- No violence or bullying;
- Treat each other with respect.
Sheila says: “The project is our response to concerns raised by residents who are becoming increasingly concerned about young people hanging around the streets on a Friday and Saturday evening.”
It’s also a response to that perennial cry of There’s nothing for us to do!
Inspector Peter Clarke of the Pemberton neighbourhood policing team said: “Reducing anti-social behaviour is one of our top priorities and we are supportive of any initiative that encourages young people to get involved in positive activities.”
And Wigan Council’s Cabinet Champion for Children and Young People Cllr Susan Loudon adds: “Young people often receive a lot of negative press – sometimes justifiably but often unwarranted. We have to ensure that we do not stereotype young people and remember that they are members of our community along with our other residents.”
Full details of the X Zones will be announced soon and young people can find out more by visiting the LINC website or by calling 01942 705321.
X-citement in Westminster
The X-Zones have been given a resounding thumbs-up from the corridors of Westminster to the streets of Worsley Hall.
Leigh MP and Secretary of State for Media, Culture and Sport Andy Burnham came along to the recent launch of the project and said: “When I heard about this scheme I was really chuffed. It’s exactly what is needed.
“Sometimes there are a lot of activities through the week but it is so important that young people are given a choice of activities on a Friday and Saturday night.
“The key thing is the mix of activities available. “
While X-Zones fan Andrew Standring, 17, from Worsley Hall is really enjoying one of the activities, the mobile climbing wall. Andrew says: “It gets people off the streets, which is what people need round our estate. We are always looking round for stuff to do on a weekend, but normally people have nothing to do but hang around the streets.
“I’d have a go on the climbing wall and I know my mates would come along to stuff like this.”
