AN INNOVATIVE and ambitious initiative reaching out to children across North Hampshire is set to take place at Festival Place in Basingstoke this half term.

Festival Place said it is keen to support Hampshire Police’s Basing Safe initiative and is opening two of its empty units for the activities on February 16 between 1-4pm.

Basing Safe is a collaboration of more than 30 local organisations coming together to provide free help and guidance to young people aged between 11 and 18.

These include Hampshire Cricket, Army Outreach, the Princes Trust, Anvil Arts, and Fluid Motion Theatre, as well as the YMCA, Stop Domestic Abuse, Solent Mind, and the Youth Commission.

Research has shown that children who take part in structured extracurricular activities are less likely to become involved in crime or become victims of exploitation.

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Hampshire police are inviting youngsters across the borough to visit the Basing Safe project to see first-hand what facilities, activities, help and advice is available to them outside of school hours.

During the afternoon youngsters can take part in a graffiti wall and cricket-based activities.

Parents are also welcome to come along to visit a separate unit where representatives from the initiative will be on hand to offer advice.

A police spokesman said: “We know there are many families facing challenges in our borough, and we want to effectively engage with youngsters to help prevent them either becoming involved in crime or vulnerable to exploitation.

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“The Basing Safe project is an opportunity to show the youngsters in our area what activities and services are available to them. Youngsters who think there isn’t anything for them outside of school, or that they don't have anyone to turn to, are able to see that there is plenty available to them if they know where to look.

“This initiative is all about engaging with young people, rather than talking at them, and we hope this event will encourage other areas of the county to do something similar.

“If we can help just one child get the support they are looking for, then we will have been successful.”

Festival Place centre director Neil Churchill said: “Our shopping centre has been the heart of Basingstoke for more than 20 years, and we are extremely proud to be at the forefront of such a vibrant and loyal community.

“We have a responsibility to serve our community and its residents, and we are proud to support vital initiatives like Basing Safe – something that will protect our young people and help keep them away from crime.”

For more information, visit festivalplace.co.uk.