Police-Led Free Football Sessions Inspire Havering Youth Across the Borough.

United in Football and Basketball returned this February half term to deliver another highly successful series of free sports sessions for young people across the local community.

The initiative forms part of the Our Harold Hill Clear Hold Build programme, established by PC Harley and Inspector Routley, and continues to grow in both reach and impact. What began as a local community project has now expanded across Havering, supported by strong partnership working with Havering Council, FIRST TOUCH SPORT, BAD THUNDER and the West Ham United Foundation.

Sessions were delivered across three venues: Harrow Lodge Park, Central Park Harold Hill and Brittons School.

In partnership with the West Ham United Foundation, a football tournament was hosted at Brittons School in Rainham. The event proved extremely popular and featured a special guest appearance from Jarrod Bowen, captain of West Ham United F.C. and England international, providing an unforgettable experience for young participants and their families.

Despite challenging weather conditions, more than 150 children attended the February half-term sessions. Since its inception, the programme has now engaged over 3,800 young people. Importantly, many participants have progressed into regular sport outside of the sessions, joining local teams through pathways created by the project’s strong coaching and community links.

Beyond participation numbers, the programme continues to deliver tangible community benefits. By providing structured, positive activities during school holidays, the initiative supports efforts to reduce anti-social behaviour and youth-related crime, while strengthening relationships between young people and local policing teams.

PC Harley said:

“These sessions continue to demonstrate the strength of effective partnership working within our community. Despite poor weather, we welcomed over 150 young people across three venues.

The programme has played an important role in reducing anti-social behaviour locally, while allowing us to build trust and positive relationships with younger members of our community through sport.

The demand for these sessions shows they are now firmly established within Havering. We are committed to ensuring their long-term future following the clear and positive impact they have delivered.

This would not have been possible without the continued support of Havering Council, First Touch Sport, West Ham United Foundation, Bad Thunder, the Met Police and our Junior Cadets team.

Having West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen attend the session at Brittons School made the event particularly special and created lasting memories for everyone involved.”

United in Football and Basketball will continue to operate across Havering, with Easter holiday sessions already confirmed and details due to be released shortly. The programme remains committed to providing accessible sport, creating opportunities for young people, and strengthening community cohesion across the borough.

Harold Hill community champion Jan Sargent told the Havering Daily:

“To see an idea that was first born from a simple conversation with our Sgt Ruane and people using our parks grow into something this impactful, is incredibly humbling. Those early comments from park users were listened to, shared with Sgt Ruane, and he truly ran with the idea, with the help of his team he turned words into action and vision into reality.

What started small has now flourished into an initiative that’s been embraced across Havering and I have been informed also being looked at by other boroughs.

Most importantly, it’s making a real difference: building strong, positive relationships between young people and officers, breaking down long-standing barriers, and concerns head on. I couldn’t be prouder of what this collaboration has achieved and what it continues to represent for our communities.”

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