Plan to catch young vandals (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Plan to catch young vandals

YOUNG people in Swindon should get hooked, says the Environment Agency. But, instead of descending into drug addiction and crime, teenagers have been urged to cast about for the reel deal.

The Get Hooked On Fishing programme aims to provide troubled Swindon youngsters with the chance to take up fishing at one of the towns angling grounds.

Council officials will meet with members of the Environment Agency at a presentation to be given by Nick Watson, who pioneered the idea.

Bob Preston, the Environment Agency's technical officer for fisheries in the region, has high hopes for the project.

"The pilot scheme in County Durham was a tremendous success, and we see no reason why it can't work in Swindon,' he said.

"We are aiming to run angling development courses, where young people will be matched up to fishery opportunities in their area."

It is hoped that the initiative will encourage troubled youths to turn the corner.

Mr Preston said: "If we can get young people to take up a hobby such as fishing, it is possible that the number of drug-related incidents will fall."

Nick Watson, a police officer from County Durham, first ran the scheme in the North East.

He has taken a sabbatical year to tour the country and tell people about the scheme, which aims to help people with social issues.

Mr Preston said: "The project is primarily aimed at young people with behavioural problems.

"Usually the participants are teenagers but it is not a solid rule."

And Swindon is well placed to offer angling opportunities to young people. Mr Preston said: "Swindon is in a very enviable position.

"The council owns several fisheries and there are many angling clubs which provide a good infrastructure for the programme."

The Environment Agency has spent £70,000 in the last five years on improvements to fisheries in Swindon.

And Mr Preston hopes that the project will be more than temporary.

"We hope to employ an angling development officer," he said.

"The officer would be able to offer guidance and advice on a permanent basis."

The meeting will be held at 10am on Wednesday, October 5 at the new Swindon police headquarters at Gable Cross.