Sport boost for estate (From Oxford Mail)

Sport boost for estate

8:18pm Wednesday 12th September 2007

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Cash is being ploughed into sport facilities on an Oxford estate to try to reduce the number of fights and incidents of criminal damage.

Oxford city councillors approved plans for two new floodlights for a sports pitch in Rose Hill - and hope this will draw youngsters away from the trouble-hit Oval area.

The £20,000 scheme was approved at a meeting on Monday night, and the 30ft high floodlights will be installed at the Rose Hill sports ground, in Ashhurst Way, by the end of the year.

Floodlights already surround an adjacent grass pitch, but the new lights will illuminate an all-weather five-a-side football pitch, basketball court and youth shelter.

Rose Hill's youngsters will be able to use the facility until the lights go out at 10pm - giving them an alternative place to go in the dark winter months.

Matty Gregory, 19, from Court Farm Road, said: "It's a good thing to do. We've got nothing up here - we haven't got a leisure centre or anything.

"To come up here with the lights will keep us off the streets and from doing all the stupid stuff.

"We are getting in trouble because we have not got anything to do. It will be something to do - it is something for the community."

His friend, Iain Milligan, 17, from Thompson Terrace, in Littlemore, said: "It is good. It will keep people away from The Oval - all the trouble happens on The Oval. It will reduce the level of violence."

The Oval has become the focal point for youths to gather, some of whom have attacked foreign students, damaged property and intimidated passers-by.

Police retaliated by creating a dispersal zone, meaning they can move on suspected troublemakers.

Antisocial behaviour orders (Asbos) have also been issued to four brothers who were responsible for a number of incidents.

Ed Turner, city councillor for Rose Hill, said the floodlight scheme was part of a 'carrot and stick' approach.

He said councillors devised the plan after consulting youths at The Oval about what initiatives would keep them out of trouble.

Mr Turner said: "In the past there have been problems with criminal damage, particularly with things like walls being knocked over.

"There were gangs hanging around being a little bit unfriendly, or rude and aggressive to passers by - that was the main thing.

"The sports ground is well out of the way of residential properties - it's not going to cause people any real bother.

"It's really just about providing a bit more for kids to do in the area so we do not get the problems of people larking about."

Adam French, sports development officer for the estate, said: "It will make a massive difference. The main reason behind antisocial behaviour is boredom.

"Having somewhere you can play football in the winter months or other sports later in the evening should help reduce that."

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