Students launch New Gosport in bid to tackle anti-social behaviour

Sixth form students from Bay House School in Gosport have launched a community project called New Gosport, with the aim of preventing anti-social behaviour in the area.

The three students, Cameron Hall, Alexander Davis and Peter York, have been working alongside police community support officers to hold debates, quiz nights and action groups to talk about what anti-social behaviour means for the town.

Cameron Hall said: ‘When we sat down as a group, we realised that anti-social behaviour was something we had all experienced in one way or another.

‘We want to make a better community for everyone to enjoy.

‘The response from people in our school has been really positive so far, but we want to branch out into other schools and places in the community, to talk about why anti-social behaviour takes place and what we can do about it.’

According to the New Gosport team, the key to tackling anti-social behaviour is to provide young people with other things to do.

Cameron said: ‘One of the things we will be doing is using sport to get people off the streets.

‘We want to show that there are a number of alternatives to bring about a more positive energy in the town.

‘We want to shake that reputation about anti-social behaviour in Gosport.

Peter York said: ‘What we are trying to achieve here is make our community something everyone can be proud of, and something everyone can get involved in.’

PCSO Andrew Taylor said: ‘We encourage things like what these lads are doing, because they are what we need more and more people to do – and that is to encourage other young people to look at what they are doing.’