Anti-social Huddersfield teens get day of paintballing and archery for bad behaviour

YOUNG tearaways from Huddersfield are to be rewarded.

They have been offered a chance to join a Kirklees version of Bad Lads Army.

Young people who have been caught committing anti-social behaviour are to be given the chance to join up – just as young tearaways did in the TV series.

They will be put through their paces in an army challenge day on May 1.

The move is bound to attract critics who see it as a “reward” for people who have been guilty of bad behaviour.

But councillors believe it is a positive move towards steering the youngsters on the right path.

The young people, who have agreed ‘Acceptable Behaviour Contracts’ with the Kirklees Anti-Social Behaviour Unit, will be travelling to the Queen Elizabeth Barracks at Strensall in York to take part in the Army Community Challenge day.

The challenge was designed to provide a physical and mental challenge for young people aged 14 to 16 in a competitive but enjoyable atmosphere, with the emphasis on fostering good team spirit.

It also gives them a taste of army life and will include a variety of activities including an assault course, archery, paint balling, a mountain bike challenge, a general knowledge quiz and an aerial walkway.

Officials from the Kirklees Anti-Social Behaviour Unit has two teams registered to take part in the challenge which will hopefully inspire those who already have an interest in the army to join their local cadets and eventually look into the possibilities of an army career.

During the Easter holidays a taster day was held at the Military Preparation Course (MPC) Lockwood where the young people from the Anti-Social Behaviour Unit took part in team-building activities and found out more about army life.

Clr Peter O’Neill, Cabinet member for Safer Stronger Communities, said: “Although we have a statutory duty to challenge poor behaviour with appropriate enforcement sanctions we also have a responsibility to help transgressors get their lives back on track.

“To that end we have extensive connections with providers of diversionary activities, education, training and employment opportunities as well as access to health and other services of which the Army Challenge competition is just one such example.”