70% reduction in Anti-Social Behaviour after first year of Princetown FC project

Princetown FC players (Image Credit: Phil Mingo/Pinnacle)

sported. Mentor supported project Princetown FC has made a significant impact on crime reduction in the village and a significant change in community cohesion since its conception in April 2011.

Recent recorded crime figures show a 70% reduction in recorded Anti-Social Behaviour crimes in Princetown, when comparing crime statistics for the first three months of 2011 and 2012.

The Dartmoor Neighbourhood Police Team have written to sported. to thank them for their support with the project and describe how the community football project, Mentored by Mike Carpenter, has changed the whole community and given them a sense of purpose. The police team go on to say that "Instances of ASB in the village have decreased by almost two thirds since the Football Club started, which we have not seen reflected anywhere else in the area. Crime in many areas has actually increased elsewhere."

Princetown FC now have over 50 registered players, ranging from 16 years upwards, 14 trained coaches and two teams registered to play in the local league. Having secured over £70,000 to develop a playing field in the village, the club now plans to expand their activities further to engage with more young people.