Young people in Aveley will soon have a modern and safe skatepark to enjoy.

Thousands of pounds are being invested into revamping the rundown facility in Aveley Recreation Ground, off the High Street.

As part of the project, a series of workshops are being planned, giving young people an opportunity to learn the art of graffiti and to make their mark on the play area.

A former HGV container at the site, covered in unwanted graffiti, will become the canvas for the project, enabling young people to take ownership of it in the hope it will not be further vandalised in future.

While the young people are engaged with the project, they will also hear about issues and dangers surrounding drink and drug misuse.

The Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex (PFCC) has contributed £10,000 to Aveley Village Community Forum in the form of a crime and disorder reduction grant from the 2022-2023 Community Safety Development Fund to carry out the work and to provide the workshops.

Commissioner Roger Hirst said: "We can only guide our young people and steer them away from getting involved in the negative sides of life, such as drugs and gangs.

"Great work has been undertaken on this project to ensure the relationship with young people in Aveley is based on mutual respect and understanding; that has given them a voice and secured their commitment to this. This enables continued conversations with them on the dangers and consequences of crime. This project is an investment in crime prevention, to ensure that young people of Aveley are positively occupied and following the right role models."

Alan Field, former AVCF chair, said: "The skatepark is not pleasant and it is not safe. There is nothing else for young people to do for a long way around here.

"We will be adding railings to the skatepark and revamping it to bring it up to modern standards. The main issue with the skatepark at the moment is it is surrounded by earth which has fallen away. It no longer meets modern regulations. We will have much-improved, safer facilities and young people will have the decent provision they deserve for years to come.

"When we gave young people the opportunity to learn art techniques and decorate the temporary hoardings around the community hub when there was building work going on, it was then left alone as they took ownership over it.

"They will see that the community cares about them and we believe, in turn, the work will reduce antisocial behaviour and crime.

"Building up those relationships with the youngsters and that engagement has been really good. We will meet with them again ahead of this project to ask what they want."

Of the PFCC funding, Alan said: "It is brilliant.

"The funding will bring with it multiple benefits. It will improve the skateboarding facility, give the young people ownership of it through the graffiti project and help to raise awareness of drink and drug issues.

"I have tried to apply for ten other pots of money, but nothing else has come through. Without the PFCC money, this work would not be happening."

It is thought the work will take between six and nine months to complete.