Fairhill, Hamilton was identified by analysts as the most prolific hot spot area in South Lanarkshire.
As a result, MTGP concentrated its activities in the area for a 12 week period (being the worst affected period in the previous year) in 2014-15
A total of 576 young people attended at MTGP throughout the 12 weeks of activity with an average of 48 young people attending each night. This related to 70% males and 30% females. Many parents and residents would attend on a nightly basis enhancing a substantial increase in community wellbeing.
A 55 year old male attended on week 6. He was drunk and extremely abusive towards the coaches and attendees. He was asked to leave and became aggressive. The coaches calmed the situation whereby the male left without the need for police intervention.
The following week this male returned with his son to apologise for his behaviour. He had been at a friend’s funeral, did not normally drink and was embarrassed by his actions. He thanked the coaches for not calling the police and remained at MTGP that evening and returned on every week with his son, who participated fully with MTGP.
Crime Analysis
Police analysis identified that there had been a total of 56 crimes and incidents and 42 youth related crimes and incidents which occurred within a ¼ mile radius of MTGP’s pitch during the same 12 week period, the previous year.
The graph below shows a full breakdown of statistics for the 12 weeks of activity.
FAIRHILL, HAMILTON: 12 Week Comparison 2013-14 and 2014-15
| 2013-14 | 2014-15
(During) |
2014-15
(After) |
% | |
| YOUTH RELATED CRIMES | 42 | 0 | 0 | -100% |
| ALL CRIMES | 56 | 1 | 2 | -94.6% |
As a direct result of MTGP activity there was a 100% reduction in relation to youth related incidents and a 94.6% reduction in relation to all crimes and incidents in the target area.
Youth related crimes and incidents also remained at a unprecedented zero level for the 12 weeks after MTGP left the area with only 2 incidents affecting the area as a whole.
Fairhill Testimonies
The following are a selection of testimonies received by MTGP whilst at Fairhill and are indicative of what is achieved at locations throughout South Lanarkshire:-
‘I bring my 2 boys to Moving the Goalposts and they have a great time. It’s great to see as many kids of different ages and sizes playing football together.
When you go to a football or boys club, the boys who are not that good or too heavy, do not get picked to play. Here the coaches include everybody, nobody is left out and they’re all smiling and enjoying themselves because the coaches encourage all participants.
It’s been great as we are new here and my kids are making new friends. I am so grateful that this is here. We are doing something together as a family that is free, long may this project continue. You can see how much it means to all the kids and the residents of this area’. Tracey (Parent)
‘My son has been going to Moving the Goalposts for the past 2 years. He loves to play football and has made many new friends as have I.
We now go to the other areas that Moving the Goalposts goes to when it’s not in our area. The coaches are first class with the kids and I know my son will be safe.
I hope this project continues as it improves the kid’s outlook. They are happy and feel good about themselves when they are here. This then spills over into our home life as its all he talks about. This project means so much to everyone that attends and also means a lot to our community. Keep up the good work’. Brian (Parent)
‘My son and his 3 cousins attend Moving the Goalposts every Friday night. They really look forward to it and all they talk about all week is Moving the Goalposts. They are all well looked after.
Normally we wouldn’t come out onto streets on a Friday night but we all feel safe, adults and kids as the coaches and organiser of this project are very good and make everyone feel welcome and safe. We know our kids are safe because it is very well organised. No matter how many turn up they all have a great time’. James (Parent)
‘My son and his 3 friends come down to Moving the Goalposts on a Friday night. It gives the kids something to do as there is little in the area for them. The coaches are down to earth and approachable.
I feel that Moving the Goalposts needs to be given more nights in our community as it brings everyone together. All ages who attend have a good time but more importantly there is a mutual respect between all the youth and the coaches, making it a better community project, as all are made welcome’. John (Parent)
‘I can’t play football as I am rubbish but I love being here. We all come down and have a laugh and everybody loves it’. Emily (15)
‘It’s good to get a game of football and hang around. When the footballs on its safe and we don’t get in to trouble. The coaches are good with us. They show us respect’. Mark (15)
‘I stay all night because I love football. If this wasn’t on I’d be bored. I would be in the house doing nothing as I don’t go out much. Now I’ve been able to meet other people while before I didn’t have conversations with anyone my own age as I didn’t go out at night’. Dean (14)
Moving The Goalposts 