Top cop rewarded for founding youth group

PROUD moment . . . PC Lee Cullen, left, gets his commendation from DCC Ian Pilling

A VISIONARY PC who helped set up a youth group seeing 150 visitors every week, has been given a chief constable's commendation.

As part of his work to tackle reports of anti-social behaviour, PC Lee Cullen, from GMP's Oldham division, organised the Failsworth Youth Zone after noticing the need for further youth engagement.

Held in Failsworth Town Hall every Friday evening, the Youth Zone sees police officers working in partnership with youth workers from Oldham Council and dedicated staff from Mahdlo to provide a safe place for young people to visit in the evenings.

Chief Constable Ian Hopkins recognised the PC's work at an awards ceremony at the Hough End centre with Deputy Chief Constable Ian Pilling when he presented him with his coveted award.

Fantastic

Since the Failsworth Youth Zone formation, anti-social behaviour has steadily reduced from about 20 report of youth-related incidents a weekend to sometimes no incidents of yobbery during the same 72 hours.

Deputy Chief Constable Ian Pilling said: "PC Cullen and Mahdlo's partnership working and dedicated enthusiasm to improve services for people of all ages in this community has seen fantastic results.

"They go above and beyond what is expected of them and their perseverance paid off resulting in a fantastic service for our local young people."

Mahdlo has a dedicated Youth Zone at Oldham with a custom-built space in which youngsters can enjoy sports, arts and recreational facilities.

They took over the running of the Failsworth Youth Zone in the summer last year and have continued to provide a safe and fun place with DJs, artists and other entertainment every week.

Failsworth Youth Zone is now considered a flagship scheme for youth provision in Oldham alongside Mahdlo's other full time services.

PC Cullen said: "The successful implementation of the Failsworth Youth Zone is a country mile from what we faced in 2014 with the volume of anti-social behaviour calls we received each weekend.

"That hasn't happened by accident but through 14 months of hard work by the Mahdlo team working in partnership with the Failsworth Policing team and the local schools.

"I hope Mahdlo will continue to grow in the districts, forming local partnerships and building on the great work they have carried on for us.

"My long-term vision and hope is the Failsworth model is replicated across the Oldham area and further afield"

Raz Mohammed, youth work manager for districts at Mahdlo said: "Mahdlo now offers youth provision in the districts of Oldham, as well as at our centre on Egerton Street.

"We work closely with partner organisations to ensure we can meet the needs of young people living in different areas, and an important part of that is to have a strong base in the community.

"Working with PC Cullen demonstrated the positive impact these partnerships have and the sessions there continue to go from strength to strength.

"Together, we have the best chance of supporting communities to become more resilient and supporting young people to achieve their potential."

PC Cullen, a father of two, is based at Uppermill with the Saddleworth neighbourhood policing team.