The Hollington Youth outreach team and Safer Hastings Partnership were last week invited to Parliament by the Prime Minister in recognition of their hard work tackling anti-social behaviour.

The meeting was arranged by local MP Michael Foster after a planned earlier visit to Hastings by the Premier was snowed off in January. He had been due to visit the Hollington Youth and Community Centre to meet the groups involved in local programmes tackling anti social behaviour and perceptions of anti social behaviour.

Recent figures show crime in Hastings has fallen by 23% in the last 5 years alone (down 40% from 1997). The Safer Hastings Partnership has also been working with local partners like the Hollington Youth outreach team to address anti-social behaviour and improve public perceptions of young people.

Michael Foster MP said:

“I know crime and anti social behaviour is a concern for many people in our town. But groups like Safer Hastings and the Hollington Outreach team have done a great job tackling both the realities and perceptions. The Prime Minister was very impressed by their work and I know he was disappointed when his earlier visit was snowed off. I’m delighted we were able to arrange this visit to celebrate the good things happening in Hollington.”

Gordon Brown thanked the local groups for the difference they were making in Hollington. He said that the MP had often told him of the good work done in the area and he was pleased to meet the people involved.