NEW football and street sport sessions are to be launched in Crewe with funding from Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane.

Two sessions are being run in partnership with Crewe Alex targeting young people from the Crewe South and Shavington and Rope policing areas.

While the McLaren playing fields will play host to a new street sports session in partnership with Sale Sharks Community Trust.

They will offer youngsters the chance to take part in a fun rugby sessions.

New lunch-time sports clubs are to start in Wistaston and Willaston, while in Haslington, a new youth project will be established to give young people the chance to develop skills and promote healthy lifestyles. Sessions are free of charge and will enable young people to try sports, arts and develop life skills.

The schemes are among seven new youth engagement projects aimed at offering teenagers something positive to do, as lockdown restrictions ease and to discourage anti-social behaviour.

One of the other schemes is being run by Holmes Chapel Boxing Club, who will provide training sessions for youngsters disengaged at school and at risk of offending.

It follows successful bids to the Commissioner's Community Policing Fund provided to all 122 policing communities in Cheshire. Community police officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) have worked with local residents to develop bids of up-to £1,000 to fund projects.

The fund has financed from money seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

David Keane said: "Young people are often tempted to commit anti-social behaviour because they have nothing else to do which is partly a reflection of the underfunding for youth services and diversionary activities.

"I've made it my priority to make communities safer and I want to give young people the chance to access the opportunities they deserve. Enabling groups to work alongside the policing teams to build stronger relationships with young people, will in turn create safer and more resilient communities.

"Activities will start when restrictions allow and I hope they will provide young people with something positive to look forward to."