Suffolk police's Inspector Mark Lewis has attributed a large improvement in youth related crime this summer to the sporting 'Game On' initiative.With crime statistics back for the summer months, it was shown that crime levels in the ten to 19 age range had fallen in 13 of the 16 Ipswich wards.

Suffolk police's Inspector Mark Lewis has attributed a large improvement in youth related crime this summer to the sporting 'Game On' initiative.

With crime statistics back for the summer months, it was shown that crime levels in the ten to 19 age range had fallen in 13 of the 16 Ipswich wards.

Game-On saw a number of sports coaches travel around sports halls and public parks in Ipswich, encouraging children to join in football, street dance and boxing sessions for free.

Organised by Ipswich Borough Council, Suffolk Police and Crime Concern managed Positive Futures, the entire project cost £30,000 to run.

Inspector Lewis said: “We worked very hard to put this project on and were not sure what impact it would make.

“But these statistics show how worthwhile it was, we are now hoping to make the scheme even broader next year.”

Positive Futures' Paul Knight said: “We are delighted to hear how much of a difference the project made. Already we are looking to expand next year's project, hopefully adding more sports and sessions.”