Arena Sports System helps Reduce Anti-Social Behaviour

SMP Playgrounds has completed the second phase of a five-year playground implementation programme for Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council that will take the total number of new facilities to 23.

The Company’s Arena Sports System, a strong modular structural steel framework with stainless steel fittings, was specified to address the needs of the area’s young adults. The system has delivered long-term durability and requires minimal maintenance, whilst offering corrosion and vandal resistance.

The playground regeneration project, which began as a pilot in 2000, was undertaken to provide recreational facilities for young adults in the wards. It has demonstrated that appropriate play areas can help to tackle anti-social behaviour by reducing calls to the police regarding nuisance youth incidents by up to 40%.

Following the successful outcome of the pilot, 13 ‘priority areas’ were identified based on both the level of ‘nuisance youth’ calls and past consultation processes with the local community and community groups. These were installed by SMP during 2001 and 2002.

The project was funded by an innovative Public-Private partnership that was forged by SMP and specialist consultants, Community First Partnership (CFP). CFP complemented SMP’s strong product offering by delivering innovative community consultation and taking on the responsibility of securing the funding requirements through Advantage West Midlands, using Borough Council capital funds as leverage funding.

To ensure a smooth implementation process, a number of representative groups have been consulted. These include Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, Nuneaton & Bedworth Leisure Trust (NBLT), Warwickshire Youth Offending Team, Warwickshire Community Education Team, Warwickshire Police, Warwickshire County Council, and community and resident groups.

Richard Lumb, Managing Director of SMP Playgrounds, said: “The project has progressed to plan and the facilities are well received by the local children. The Arena Sports Systems have had a positive impact on the local communities in helping to reduce anti-social activities and entice more into physical exercise.”

As well as addressing the goal of improving the quality of life in the Nuneaton and Bedworth area, the initiative has also helped other organisations to meet some of their objectives. These include Warwickshire Drug Action Team’s Action Plan, NBLT’s Sports Development Plan and the Crime and Disorder Strategy for Nuneaton and Bedworth.

Paul Daly, Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council said: “We are very pleased with the work SMP Playgrounds has carried out and hope that more children will now be encouraged to use the facilities.”

Part of the project has included the employment of a Community Sports Officer to generate funding for, and organise projects based on, the MUGAs. Kris Malkin, the current post holder said: “These facilities give us the opportunity to take positive sports activities and experiences right into the heart of many local communities. As well as keeping young people occupied during the evenings and holiday times, our projects also help to reduce fear of crime amongst residents, hence making their surrounding communities that little bit happier to live in.”

The installation of the Arena Sports systems has contributed to an improved quality of life for Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council’s young people and helped to reduce the amount of anti-social behaviour in the area. SMP hopes to replicate this successful model with other local authorities.

For further information please call SMP Playgrounds on 01784 489100.

For further press information, please contact Pure Communications
Felicity Owen
Tel: 01743 260950
Fax: 01743 260951
f.owen@pure.uk.com