Peterborough United Football in the Community Officer Nick Sheppard has expressed his delight that a youth football scheme has helped with a major reduction in anti-social behaviour in the Eastfield area in the city. Police say behaviour issues have dropped by 26 per cent since the coaching programme was introduced in that area of Peterborough.

Sheppard said: 'We are absolutely thrilled with the figures released by the Police recently. It just goes to show that football can break down barriers and the football club are committed to help in bringing the city of Peterborough together and make it a safer place for everybody. We are already in talks with Youth Offending Services and the Police about expanding the project across the city and are committed to gaining simliar results in all four corners of the city.'

Police Community Support Officer Luke Kennedy said that most youngsters on the scheme had been well behaved and their attitude was rubbing off on others in the area after they had been brought together by the football sessions.

'Before teh football sessions started some youths were hanging about the streets and were being rowdy. Now with football being available they are taking part in the sessions and there has been no trouble since. They also interact with us a lot more. We are also noticing a change in attitudes. I was walking to a session and one lad started walking alongside me. He said before, he couldn't walk down Saxon Road without getting bullied or picked on, but since the sessions started he feels accepted.'

Sector inspector Matt Newman added: 'If you get them playing football for two hours on a Friday night, they just want to go home because they are exhausted and so you are less likely to get anti-social behaviour. It has been a real success.'