Social workers will saddle up to tackle anti-social behaviour and potential knife crime in an ambitious scheme set up by a Gloucester youth project.
Peace Pedallers is a project by Gloucester youth group Increase the Peace and will aim to engage with young people across Gloucester in areas such as Barton and Tredworth, Tuffley, Podsmead, White City, Linden, Kingsholm and Coney Hill.
Nick Gazzard, chairman of the Hollie Gazzard Trust, has pledged £6,960 to the Peace Pedallers, which will see social workers take to their bikes to tackle anti-social behaviour on the city's streets.
The long term aim of the Peace Pedallers is to establish 'hubs' for young people in areas across Gloucestershire, but for the first few months they will focus on breaking down barriers and getting potential tearaways on side.
Youngsters will be advised of positive activities to engage with in their community and be persuaded against loitering on the streets and falling into gang culture.
Delroy Ellis, founder of Increase the Peace, said Peace Pedallers are the "next big thing" for his youth organisation.
He said: "We want to try and reach out to those hard to reach kids and engage them in positive activities in their communities.
"It will take time and it will not happen overnight. We have to remember we're going out into their community so for the first few months we will be focussing on relationship buildings and trying to get them on our side.
"We've hand picked the youth workers to be confident when approaching kids on their own streets. They have positive reputation and they're well known."
The Hollie Gazzard Trust, which was set up after Nick's 20-year-old daughter was murdered by her ex-boyfriend Asher Maslin in Gloucester city centre in February last year, has funded the Peace Pedallers for the whole of 2015 and helped them to buy their bikes and distinctive uniforms.
The Peace Pedallers, which was previously launched with Gloucester City Homes, has also been funded by the Sheriff of Gloucester.
Initially, Increase the Peace will send eight social workers out into Gloucester communities for six hours a week.
They are encouraging anyone with concerns about anti-social behaviour in their area to approach their youth workers while out and about or to contact their HQ at Parry Hall between 10am and 3pm every Friday.
Mr Gazzard said: "One of the aims of the Hollie Gazzard Trust is to reduce the amount of knife crime and anti-social behaviour in Gloucestershire.
"The Peace Pedallers will ensure that we keep them out of trouble and explain to them why they shouldn't hang around on street corners or carry a weapon.
"Hopefully we can stop them being anti-social on the streets and move them down a positive direction."
