from allafrica.com
Durban — The Football Development and Crime Awareness Programme is to be launched on Thursday as a diversion tool to reduce crime in the north of Durban. The programme, which will be rolled out in Intuzuma, KwaMashu and Inanda (INK), aims to encourage the youth to refrain from crime by playing soccer instead. The programme follows a partnership between the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, the South African Police Services (SAPS), English Premiership Club Charlton Athletic FC, British Airways as well as the United Kingdom Metropolitan Police.
Observing the South African National Anthem
Deputy Head for Sports and Recreation Development at the municipality, Vusi Mazibuko said the idea of the programme came after discussions between SAPS Commission and UK Metro Police about the importance of sport as a tool to for social transformation.
“Football is being used as a vehicle to establish a relationship between the community, police and the schools in INK areas, we are confident that the project will help turn away children from activities with anti-social behaviour,” Mr Mazibuko said. 
Pupils take part in a Police education workshop about the dangers of gun and knife crime.
Charlton’s Matt Parish holds a child protection workshop with potential football coaches.
images:charlton-athletic.co.uk
