The pilot sports programme is being pioneered by police officers at Bucknall Neighbourhood Policing Unit (NPU) with support from Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Closing the Gap programme.

The scheme will offer young people who live across the NPU the chance to develop new skills in boxing, football, cricket, dance and softball.

It will be officially launched at the inaugural meeting of the new boxing club at Queensbury Boxing Club, based at the Willfield Centre, Lauder Place in Bentilee.

British boxing champion Chris Edwards will help to launch the initiative at 7pm on Thursday 5 March.

The sports programme has taken almost a year to pull together and forms part of an innovative programme developed to help use sport to address local policing issues.

Along with regular weekly clubs young people can access, they will also be able to take part in sports activities during the Easter and Summer school holidays.

The aim of the programme is to engage with young people and offer them activities in which to channel their energies.

Sports coaching will be given by staff from the city council’s sports department, with on-site support from police officers.

“We are working hard to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) using sport as a vehicle,” said Inspector Steve Jones, commander of Bucknall NPU.

“Police officers, together with our colleagues at the city council, want to engage with all young people.

“Elements of the programme will be offered in each of our hot spot areas in an effort to engage young people and give them something to do.”

Initially the boxing club is being offered to young males from the Sneyd Green area and will be staged twice a week.

Dance sessions for girls aged 14 to 17 will be held every Friday, from March 6, at Mitchell High School in Bucknall.

During Easter football and softball will be offered at various locations in Abbey Hulton, Bentilee and Berryhill.

Councillor Debra Gratton, portfolio holder for Sport and Leisure at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “This initiative is yet another example of the exciting partnership working that our Closing the Gap programme has been able to deliver.

“Not only will this provide a range of exciting new opportunities for young people across the NPU but it will also help address local issues such as anti- social behaviour and contribute to improving the health of young people.”