Hooligan blitz cash

10:35am Wednesday 15th November 2000

CASH to fund another anti-social behaviour blitz may be available from the Government.

Bexley Council is hoping to tap into a three-year crime reduction programme, via the Home Office, to pay for a second high-profile clampdown on youth disorder. Favourite to get the next blitz is Sidcup.

During the summer the police, youth and education workers, social workers and works and contracts staff spent four weeks in the Lovell Avenue area of Welling, cleaning graffiti, repainting, talking to youngsters and their parents, running a summer activities scheme and, if necessary, arresting young people.

A detailed analysis of the success of the project has yet to be made, but Welling councillors said the public reaction had been positive.

Sidcup councillor Malcolm Ketley said: My one fear is that the youngsters may go back to their previous areas as the scheme moves around the borough. We dont know yet how to break the cycle.