Donna Wagner from West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service said:
“From a Fire Service point of view, we identified there was a trend with this area, the big issue being service calls and resources. And while we were getting called to nuisances at the park, real emergencies such as house fires, a road traffic collision (RTC) on the motorway etc, we’re not getting that vital fire appliance where it needs to be. It’s crucial that we’re there for the real emergency, so this was a clear problem for us. It’s about raising awareness within the community, to let them know that as a multi-agency approach and we are listening.”
At the heart of this transformation is the launch of a youth skate program, led by Olympic pathway skateboard coach Hardy, run and managed by 5 Towns Christian Fellowship. This program is designed to engage local young people, giving them a sense of pride and ownership in their skatepark while promoting positive activities and community values.
“It’s all about creating a safe space here for young people to come where they can have positive role models, reduce anti-social behaviour, but also advise them on good actions to take. There’s work we’re doing around early intervention as well, so we’ve got a team in Half Acres Primary doing some skate sessions, but also teaching about respect for the community, respect for local property as well.” – Ali Crompton, 5 Towns Christian Fellowship.
The results so far are remarkable. Anti-social behaviour complaints have dropped, and young people are starting to take the lead in maintaining their park. Local residents are seeing that their voices are being heard, with visible action from the authorities that balances enforcement with community support.
This project is a shining example of what can be achieved when different organisations come together with a shared goal. By addressing root causes and providing young people with constructive outlets, the initiative is helping to build a safer, stronger community for everyone.
PCSO Matthews said:
”I went back into the community and spoke to residents to keep them updated with what’s been happening. They’re really, really pleased that CCTV is going in and we’ve done door knocks about bin [fire] safety. We really have gone to the community and listened to what they’ve had to say. To make this work, all of us have to pull together. So often local residents don’t see what the outcomes are, but now with us keeping them updated, they’re really bought into it. They’re part of the whole process.”
We’re incredibly proud to have supported this project and look forward to seeing even more positive outcomes in the months ahead. The team have been working with the Council and have future plans to get CCTV installed, demolish a disused building and remove hedging to improve visibility from the roadside to the park.
At Prosper Wakefield District, we’ll continue to champion projects that bring communities together and create opportunities for a brighter future.
