Bluelight Disco
Owner / Author:
Fife Constabulary, Western Division, Community Team
Organisation:
Police
Contact Details:
Inspector Downies/PS Clague - 01383 318739
Inspector Stickings/PS Paxton - 01383 318644
Strategy / Initiative Name:
Bluelight Disco
Local Authority(ies):
Fife
Group Targeted:
Youths aged between 12 and 16 years.
Crime Type / Violence Activity:
Anti-social Behaviour
Drugs/Alcohol Related
Drugs/Alcohol Related
Level(s):
Primary
Secondary
Tertiary
Secondary
Tertiary
Aims:
- To divert the youths away from anti-social behaviour, alcohol and drug related criminal activity.
- The provision of health education and advice to the youths regarding personal hygiene and safe sex.
- Provide a focus to interact with the youths and encourage them to find other interests in various activities.
Approach:
High instances of youth disorder and criminality have been recorded within Western Division, particularly during Friday and Saturday evenings and during school holidays. It had been decided to tackle this problem by engaging the youths in something which they would be interested in, with a view to diverting their activities. Youths attending the event must undergo a breath test to confirm they have not consumed alcohol before being admitted. Youths also searched for weapons. Partner organisations provide advice and guidance to those attending on a variety of topics.
Project's Methodology:
Through a program of meetings with other agencies, a plan was put in place utilising the skills and knowledge of other departments and agencies.
Other Agencies Involved:
Local schools Health Service Fife Council Youth Education Workers
Evaluation Process:
Evaluation is carried out on a regular basis following each Bluelight Disco, comparing statistics in relation to crime pattern and youth diversion. To date, this has proved that youth diversions through Bluelight appear to be working.
Evaluation Impact:
The regular, on-going program of evaluation has provided suitable feedback and direction for all the partners involved in the initiative and any learning points are utilised expediently.
Evaluation Result:
Promising
Criticism:
The initiative does require considerable police effort in the early stages and ultimately would probably sit best in the Community Education portfolio but with continued police involvement.
Potential:
This initiative has all the potential to divert and educate the target youths away from being involved in anti-social behaviour, drink and drug related crime and ciminality in general, and could easily be included in some sort of continuing education program, with the police taking a more secondary role by assisting those with the education role and focus.
