PruPIM's Prudential 4 Youth project wins award for tackling anti-social behaviour

08 May 2006

A group of teenagers from Eastleigh naming themselves “Quest” have just won an award for their project to tackle anti-social behaviour in the Swan Centre. The award was presented in a ceremony at the Southampton Solent University on the 8^th May, which was attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Eastleigh and Inspector Kelly Whiting of Eastleigh Police.

Their innovative idea won them £500 and their concept of a ‘Safe Bag Scheme’ in the Swan Centre, was thought to be fresh and inspiring. This idea involved a locker area in the centre where shoppers could leave their heavy bags, during busy shopping periods, to reduce the risk of their handbags or purchases being stolen. The shoppers would receive a numbered plastic band so that they could quickly pick their shopping up once they were leaving the centre. The group consisted of four boys, one of whom (Craig Lisher) received a Special Individual Merit Award for all his hard work.

Year 10 pupils from Quilley School of Engineering and Crestwood School in Eastleigh are involved with this latest Prudential 4 Youth project supported by Prudential plc, owners of the centre, Property Investment Managers Ltd (PruPIM), Crime Concern, the Swan Centre, Aim2, Eastleigh Borough Council, Solent Skill Quest, Atlantic Housing and Hampshire Constabulary. The project is aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour both in the Swan Centre and the surrounding area.

Over 30 young people took part in the project and were divided into six enterprise ‘companies’, with a teacher co-ordinator and business mentor for each group. At the end of twelve weeks, each company produced a report and prepared a 10 minute presentation on their findings including their suggested course of action.

The night was a great success and all who attended were very impressed with all the students’ ideas.

Paul Cornes, Director of Corporate Responsibility at Prudential Property Investment Managers Ltd, said: “The latest Eastleigh project is one of the many successes brought about through Prudential’s 12 year partnership with Crime Concern. Our approach is distinctive because it involves intensive partnership working while ensuring young people take the lead in all activity.”

Norman Lloyd, Prudential 4 Youth’s Programme Manager, said: “I’m delighted that this challenge has been such a great success and it is so inspiring to see first hand the great work our young people are doing in partnership with the police, schools and wider community.”

Dee Buffone, Swan Centre Manager, said “I believe that all the young people have responded well to the challenge, and I am sure that we will see some excellent ideas. It is my hope that they have enjoyed the experience and acquired new found skills that will help them in the future.”

Editor’s Notes

• All media queries, please call Crime Concern media officer Jane Edmonds on 01793 863520 or 07795 428338. Or Prudential 4Youth National Programme Assistant Lisa Huggins on 0207 548 6544 or 07881 805 044.
• The Swan Centre is owned by Prudential – whose shopping centre investments include the Mander Centre in Wolvehampton and Cwmbran Shopping Centre in Cwmbran.
• Prudential 4 Youth is based on the proven Youth Action Group approach which has evolved during 12 years of development through the partnership of Crime Concern and Prudential. Already an integral part of the work of community safety partnerships, the focus has now turned to town and city centres across the country, with Prudential-owned shopping centres, to encourage and support young people to make a difference in their local community.
• Prudential 4 Youth projects have achieved highly significant outcomes to deal with issues of anti-social behaviour, street crime and youth nuisance. Achievements have contributed to a 16% reduction in the theft of mobile phones through the Wolverhampton Mander Centre project, a 21.6% reduction in insurance claims as a result of malicious damage through the Manchester Arndale project and a 70% reduction in youth nuisance through the Washington Galleries project.
• Crime Concern is an independent social enterprise. Working across England and Wales, its aim is to reduce crime and create safer communities. This is done through consultancy and through over 50 local projects. Crime Concern also helps shape the latest thinking in crime prevention and reduction and ensures this thinking is translated into action.

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