Funky dance platforms are helping to reduce crime in one of the country’s most deprived areas.

Brierley Town Council in Barnsley invested in 16 of ZigZag’s state-of-the-art dance platforms, using part of its £620,000 funding to build the village’s new community and leisure centre.

South Yorkshire Police helped fund classes at the leisure centre for just £1 during Halloween and Bonfire week as part of its ‘Operation Mischief’, to crack down on petty crime during the celebrations.  Initial reports show that crime usually associated with this period is down 15% from the same time last year.

Jan Cooper, manager of the Community Centre said:  “We know that providing these fun activities for the children really does have an impact on petty crime in the area – particularly things like graffiti and criminal damage.  When we’ve finished with them, they’re too tired to do any damage!

“The classes are usually £2.50 a session, but with the help of our local police we were able to offer them at just £1.  And now the children have tried the dance platforms they keep coming back as they have so much fun.”
 
Brierley’s new community and leisure centre, which opened in September 2007, was developed using cash from the Town Council, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Haslam Homes and the Single Regeneration Budget.

The portable dance platforms, which are stationed in a multi purpose room at the leisure centre will be transported to community centres in the next two villages two evenings a week over the coming months, to encourage children from across the area to get active.