Hang-out zones created across county

Hang-out zones have been created across the East Riding in a bid to rid the streets of anti-social behaviour.

The zones, which have been created in 11 areas, were paid for with £80,000 from the Big Lottery Fund and are designed give young people something to do.

The scheme – called Yes, Play Here – has been introduced in areas including Hessle, Market Weighton, Driffield, Nafferton, Haltemprice, Rawcliffe Bridge, Holme Upon Spalding Moor, Leven, Tickton and Flamborough.

Heather Bennett, of East Riding Safe Communities, said: "The areas were prioritised according to anti-social behaviour data available at the time the bid was submitted to the Big Lottery Fund."

The areas involved in the scheme have either blocks for rock-climbing or a shelter for young people to gather in.

Young people's views were gathered by police community support officers, council youth workers and through youth clubs and schools.

They were able to choose the type of facility they wanted and where it should be, with the aim of making young people feel welcome in their community and getting them to take ownership of the zone - resulting in them having respect for it.

The zones are designed to be outdoor and unsupervised and are aimed at providing a non-confrontational place for young people to meet.

In Hessle, where blocks for rock climbing and a shelter have been put up, local resident Jack Cheshire, 14, said: "They will be handy for chilling in the park when it's raining, rather than trying to find somewhere else sheltered to stay dry."

However, although the scheme has been welcomed by communities, one Keyingham resident said the shelter in the village hasn't been respected and is littered with glass.

Jenny Simpson, clerk to Keyingparish council, said: "The youths hanging around the shelter have been leaving broken glass all over the floor, despite the fact there's a bin next to the shelter.

"It's been disappointing how some young people have treated it."