Young people 'doing good' will receive 'Positive' tickets from today in a pilot scheme being run in conjunction with Calne Neighbourhood Policing Team and Wiltshire Council.
The pilot will run for 12 months with a view to rolling it out to the other 26 neighbourhood policing teams across Wiltshire .
It is backed by the Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson.
The scheme, devised by Calne NPT Sergeant Ben Huggins, looks to reward positive actions carried out by young people in Calne.
If a police officer or police community support officer witnesses a positive act being carried out they will serve an on the spot ‘Positive' ticket.
A young person can also be nominated by a member of the public, or by a partner agencies.
All positive tickets will be collated and every young person will be entered into a draw to receive a free entry VIP ticket to the next Bluez 'n' Zuzs disco event, and an invite to the next Calne area Board to receive a certificate.
Sgt Ben Huggins said: “Too often as police we only focus on the negative behaviour of young people in our line of work.
"Issuing Positive Tickets to deserving young members of the community will allow us to engage with a wide range of young people, diverting them away from anti-social behaviour and help build strong community ties.
"Whilst not prescriptive, tickets can be issued for positive acts such as picking up litter, assisting other members of the community and correct use of bike equipment.
"I am grateful to the Calne Area Board and local partners who have supported the scheme and are helping with the implementation.
"My team are now looking forward to engaging with our local community to issue tickets and improve the relationship between police and youth engagement in Calne.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson, who is sponsoring frames for the certificates, said: “I really like this idea which will recognise the positive things young people in Calne do for the community.
“Sometimes police have to issue tickets to people who have broken the law.
“So it is good to see an imaginative and positive use of tickets and I wish the scheme every success.”
Follow Sgt Ben Huggins on Twitter @Calnecop or join the Facebook page 'Calne Police'.
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