TEENAGERS from Connah’s Quay came together to make their area a better place to live.

PC James Tapley, of the North Flintshire policing team, organised the Op, Skip, Jump project and recruited a group of volunteers aged between 12 – 16 to complete work in their local area.

Some work included planting new flower displays, clearing overgrown paths, litter picking and painting.

The PC said: “The project attracts plenty of attention as we dress the volunteers in CSI paper suits for their safety and we enjoy telling people that they have volunteered their time to make the community better and aren’t on community service.

“The areas we have completed the project in have not suffered any vandalism since. It’s our hope that as the next generation has completed the work, they will want to protect it.”

PC Tapley thought of the idea in 2017 when it was revealed the Clwyd High Sherriff’s Crime Beat Trust had funds available to be allocated to an area where there was a problem with antisocial behaviour.

He wanted to engage the local children in solving the problem, adding: “I’m very passionate about having community spirit and having pride in where we live so I thought I would combine the two aspects of the funding requirement and have the next generation help rejuvenate an area that is enjoyed by all members of the community.”

Last year the project was based in Holywell and this year it was in Connah’s Quay and members took part in two-hour sessions over five weeks in the summer holidays.

Items were also donated from local businesses such as food, plants and equipment to complete the work.

The project finished with a day out to Flip Out in Chester as a reward for the volunteers’ efforts during the summer.

He said: “The project has been well received and we won an award at the High Sherriff’s Annual Award Ceremony in 2017.

“I hope to continue the project next year if I can. If you want to see some of this year’s pictures you can search the hashtag opskipjump on Facebook.”