11/03/2010
Lancashire Police have confirmed that the highly successful North Lancs Training Group/YNOT snooker youth club delivered by the Paul Hunter Foundation has saved the tax payer some £294,000 in reducing crime. The police also reported that within the Church area of Accrington, where the club operates, the area has also seen:

- 400 hours of engagement with young people
- Blackburn Road has seen a 20% reduction in criminal damage, whilst Church has seen a 27% reduction overall
- Peak damage times of 6.00 – 8.00 p.m. have been eradicated (when the club is running)
- The number of young people arrested whilst drunk in Church has reduced by 23%
- 13% reduction in antisocial behaviour
- Cost per capita – criminal damage costs per resident in Hyndburn have dropped from £91.62 per year to £69.80 in 2010.
- Church’s contribution to this has reduced from £9.16 (10% in 2009 to £5.58 in 2010 (8%)
- This totals a £294,512 reduction in criminal damage costs in Church

The club operates two nights a week at the Cuemaster Snooker Club, Blackburn Road, Accrington giving a blend of snooker activities in an informal setting.

NLTG’s World Snooker Coach, Chris Lovell, said, “These are staggering figures and we would like to thank all our partners, in particular the Lancashire Young Peoples Service and Harvest Housing who have supported the snooker youth club with funding. Also to the team behind the youth club, in particular Sharon Burch from the YOT, Lancashire Constabulary’s Rob Flanagan and NLTG’s Neil Ormerod, together with all the volunteer helpers and session leaders.

Each night between 40 and 50 youngsters visit the snooker youth club, which is the main objective of the Paul Hunter Foundation, to provide free snooker, to get able-bodied, disadvantaged and disabled off the streets.

For further information contact Chris Lovell on 01254 392385 or chris.lovell@nltg.co.uk