MERSEYSIDE´S Police and Crime Commissioner marked Halloween by visiting 3 community organisations funded through her Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) – a vital initiative investing in young people to prevent antisocial behaviour.

Across the 30 and 31 October 2025 - dates when reports of anti-social behaviour are known to spike - Emily Spurrell joined Halloween-themed activities hosted by Behind Bars Calisthenics Academy, Utopia Project, and Norris Green Community Alliance to see 1st-hand how her YES grants are being used to create safe, engaging and inspiring spaces for young people.

Approximately 50 young people from Behind Bars Calisthenics Academy in Birkenhead took on the Ninja Warrior UK Adventure Park in Speke, where they tackled the high-energy assault course. The visit aimed to give the group the chance to use fun physical activity and teamwork skills to build confidence and resilience.

The Commissioner was joined on the visit by Superintendent Georgie Garvey, Director of the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership (MVRP) who jointly fund the YES.

The next stop was to Hatch in Birkenhead to meet with young people and families being supported by Utopia Project. The Commissioned joined a neurodiverse-friendly Halloween party, filled with themed games and decorations. The PCC joined in the fun, volunteering to be ‘mummified’ in a team game and also spoke with families about the project’s impact on the young people’s wellbeing and development.

At the final visit, to Norris Green Community Alliance, the PCC joined a lively roller disco and fancy-dress party, judging the costume contest and selecting three winners. The event brought together dozens of local children and families in a safe and engaging environment.

Merseyside Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said:- “These visits are a powerful reminder of what happens when we invest in our young people. Each visit was full of laughter, creativity and community spirit. It’s so important that young people and their families have welcoming spaces where they feel safe, supported, encouraged, and celebrated. Preventing crime and anti-social behaviour is a key priority for me, and our YES Fund is a powerful example of how we can create real, lasting change in our communities, when we work together. But it’s not all about crime prevention, it’s also about investing in potential and by supporting grassroots organisations we’re giving young people the chance to access safe spaces, build confidence, and develop the skills they need to succeed. I’m so proud to see the energy, innovation, and compassion that the YES Fund continues to champion within our communities, and with the support of these brilliant grassroots organisations, we are making Merseyside a safer, more inclusive place for all.”

The Youth Empowerment Scheme was launched by the PCC, in partnership with the MVRP, to support grassroots organisations working with young people across Merseyside. The fund aims to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour by investing in positive activities, mentoring, and safe spaces.

In the latest round, £472,680 was distributed among 27 local organisations, supporting a wide range of projects from sports and creative arts to mental health outreach and employment skills.

Georgie Garvey, Director of Merseyside VRP, said:- “It was incredible to see so many young people having fun, leading the way, and supporting each other. The energy and determination on display was so inspiring and is exactly the kind of positive, high-impact activity we are determined to increase across Merseyside. We are committed to creating violence-free communities in Merseyside, ensuring better life choices for young people and our Youth Empowerment Scheme is all about empowering them to take the lead in creating positive change in their local areas, with the support of some wonderful groups and organisations who really know their communities best. It’s about building confidence, leadership, and community spirit, improving opportunities and outcomes for them and their families; creating lasting change, growing potential, preventing harm and saying a great big “yes” to ambition and action.”

Liam Liversage, Outreach Manager at Behind Bars Calisthenics Academy said:- “The support provided through the YES Fund has been instrumental in allowing Behind Bars Calisthenics Academy to continue delivering free provision for young people, particularly those at risk of offending. This backing, alongside the continued support of our local partners and sponsors, helps us create safe, structured spaces where young people can develop confidence, build resilience, and make positive choices for their future. Funding initiatives like this are vital to strengthening local cohesion and reducing anti-social behaviour across our communities.”

Phil Murray, Director of Community Strategy, Utopia said:- “Our Halloween event provides a safe, inclusive space for young people to connect and have fun. The neurodiverse, anxiety-friendly environment encourages confidence, creativity, and social interaction during a period that can be particularly challenging for young people and their families. Events like this strengthen our community relationships and offer valuable opportunities for young people to build friendships and create memories, while reflecting hatch’s commitment to inclusion, wellbeing, and positive youth development.”

Denise Turner, Community Development Officer, Norris Green Community Alliance said:- “YES has allowed us to continue supporting the children & families in the area, giving them the chance to participate in different activities such as afterschool clubs, playschemes, day trips & events such as our Norris Green Carnival. Many of the people we support come from deprived backgrounds & would not get this opportunity. It's allowed us to reach more people, allowing them to gain more support with other things such as emergency food & hardship support. Overall, this funding has strengthened our community, helping local families feel supported, included, and hopeful for the future.”