NORWICH LADS' CLUB.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 151, 27 June 1936, Page 17

NORWICH LADS' CLUB.

ELIMINATING JUVENILE CRIME AN ENVIABLE CITY. NORWICH. . England has a city of 130,000 inhabitants without a juvenile crime problem. Norwich had One, but the police solved it themselves'.' A few, years ago the problem was so important that the chief constable, Mr. J. H. Dain, appealed to his townspeople for their aid in starting ' the Norwich Lads' Club. His thesis was that children must find some outlet for their activities, and if the right sort of occupation for their spare time cannot be found delinquency will inevitably follow.^ The club's membership started at 200, and it has since increased to nearly 3000. Whereas the number of juveniles coming up in court used to be more than 100 a year, the average number -now is . only twelve. The boys of Norwich .from 14 to 18 years of age are evidently too busy or too tired after a, strenuous evening- punching* a police sergeant in a boxing ring to be interested in anything so-dull-as petty larceny.

When one visits the club the guide is Superintendent George . Scott, secretary and deputy chifef constable. The youth of the town greet him "Hello, sir, how are yeri" and this spirit; of friendliness exists between the boys and all ranks of the force.

The club premises are in an old aircraft factory. There is a fine gymnasium, rooms " for changing, sun bathing, cafeteria,-and billiard tables. One section is especially for youths who want to continue membership after 18.

Every season there is the club celebration, .'when 1700 people (capacity for the audience) attend every night, to see the boxing and gymnastic displays. Besides this there are the football • and other sports sections, each one under the control of one of the policc force, who .{Lets as team or sport manager. Recently When the police and boys' teams met in water'polo, the b'oys -von. To see the boys boxing, swimming, or reading; and studying in the fine library it is difficult to. believe that youth in •other places would not respond in the same-way to the opportunities and the-same sympathetic handling. _ Oiie does riot call in" a lion tamer to attend a -destructive puppy—one gives liirir a* rubber bone*ov an" old " slipper "to" keep him: diverted. That is the secret of the Norwich Lads' Club.. :