Pictured at the Low Green in Ayr are some of the people involved in the South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership 2010 Summer Youth Action Plan
The school summer holidays are here and young people are ready to relax and enjoy a well earned break.
The South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership 2010 Summer Youth Action Plan will provide a range of positive activities for young people to try something new, improve existing skills, meet up with friends and make new ones.
The Partnership members include: the Council; Strathclyde Police; Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Service; NHS Ayrshire & Arran; the Coast Guard; Ambulance Service; Ayrshire Alcohol & Drug Partnership (AADP); the Procurator Fiscal and a range of voluntary and community organisations.
Councillor Nan McFarlane, Chair of the South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership said: "These activities will take place throughout South Ayrshire with a diverse range of activities from golf and tennis through to sea kayaking and swimming available.
"We know this makes a difference as a similar targeted action plan in 2009 led to a reduction in complaints to the Police and the community safety team of 33% during the period of targeted action.
"Most young people just want to enjoy their summer break and have fun, the exciting range of activities available should provide something to suit everyone."
The Council has also been working in partnership with Strathclyde Police to come up with a Summer Police Action Plan, ensuring high visibility police patrols are carried out during the summer months in areas and at times where antisocial behaviour complaints have risen in the lead up to this summer, or have traditionally increased over the summer months.
Strathclyde Police Area Commander, Chief Inspector Sweeney said: "This is an excellent example of partnership working and will see an array of tactics, early intervention, diversion and if required enforcement coming together impacting positively on public reassurance, crime and antisocial behaviour.
"By fully engaging with the communities of South Ayrshire and in particular local youths, all aspects of antisocial behaviour will be tackled, specifically targeting the areas of greatest concern, making an impact on unacceptable behaviour caused by a minority enabling those who live, work and visit South Ayrshire to enjoy the facilities the area has to offer during the summer months ahead."
Details of all activities available will be accessible through the Young Scot website, and flyers will be given out to all school children along with their RAP (Recreational Access Pass) highlighting activities specific to their areas. The RAP card entitles children resident in South Ayrshire to swim for free at Council pools and enjoy other benefits.
The Council's Streetsport Express bus, portable skatepark and MUGA (multi use games area) will be doing the rounds throughout the summer, targeting areas where antisocial behaviour usually increase during the summer months.
Details of all activities available will be accessible through the YoungScot website www.youngscot.org. Information flyers highlighting activities specific to their area will be given to all school children along with their RAP (Recreational Access Pass) card. The RAP card allows children resident in South Ayrshire to swim free at Council swimming pools during the summer and brings other benefits.