City rivalries set aside to fight crime
A campaign which has seen Liverpool unite with Everton to reduce crime is celebrating its fifth birthday.
The Kickz initiative brought the city rivals together to make Merseyside a better place to live.
It has seen young people from disadvantaged areas attend football sessions, improve relations with police and become volunteers.
Working with the police, the clubs have produced some impressive results in places like Norris Green, Anfield and Stockbridge Village, including:
- 31.7 per cent reduction in Criminal Damage to a Dwelling
- 22.4 per cent reduction in Common Assault
- 56 per cent reduction in Burglary in a Dwelling - potential saving of over £1,035,956 to society
- 47.9 per cent reduction in Theft From Motor Vehicle
- 52.6 per cent reduction in Theft of Motor Vehicle
(Figures from Kickz areas gleaned by comparing 2008-09 figures with 2009-10.)
Inspector Colin Lewis from Merseyside Police said: "Fifteen years ago if you'd said we'd be working alongside Liverpool and Everton to combat anti-social behaviour, reduce crime and victimisation and promote citizenship among young people I'd have thought you were mad. I'm not sure the clubs would have believed it either.
"It is as good a partnership as I've ever seen - and I've seen a lot."
Home Secretary Teresa May praised the Premier League and the police for their Kickz work during a celebratory reception at the House of Commons, and said: "We all know how many supporters enjoy watching football, but the idea of using its strength to help young people in this way is fantastic.
"It's doing really good work enabling them to not just be taken out of situations in which they might get involved in gangs or crime, but actually giving young people a voice."