A Commonwealth Games gold medallist will run athletics training in Tower Hamlets to help reduce anti-social behaviour and offending among young people.
The Met Police has called on the services of Tosin Oke, 30, who took triple jump gold for Nigeria at last year’s Delhi Games, to run their Met Track scheme in the borough.
It allows young people aged 13 to 17 to take part in two hours of free training a week at Mile End stadium with qualified local athletes.
As part of the Met’s Children and Young People Strategy, PC Steve Austin has also got Stepney Green school in Ben Jonson Road to provide their sports facilities, including three gyms and a weights room, on bad weather days.
PC Austin said: “Tosin has told me that a third of the work the athletes need to do will be indoors.
“Met Track allows young people to learn specialist skills but we also get a chance to talk to them about safety and if we have any particular campaigns, it is an easy way to let them know about them.”
Members of the borough’s Safer Neighbourhoods team also attend Met Track sessions.
The programme started in 2005 in Bexley and was then taken up in 23 boroughs across London since 2006 including in Tower Hamlets.
It will be re-launched at the Rhodeswell Road stadium on January 10 at 4.30pm.
For further information visit met-track.com.
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