A SCHOOLBOY has told the country's 200 top policemen - `don't judge a book by its cover, we all want a future'.
Matthew Caine, 15, won a loud round of applause at Manchester Central with his rousing speech to the Association of Chief Police Officers' annual conference.
Matthew, from Old Trafford, was one of 45 boys on the first phase of the Reclaim scheme, aimed at giving opportunities to young boys and girls from south Manchester and Gorton.
The conference opened on Tuesday with a rundown of Manchester's historical, cultural, scientific and sporting achievements. But the successes were set alongside the city's struggle with gang and gun crime.
GMP Chief Constable Peter Fahy told delegates he wanted to show them `the future' before introducing Matthew and fellow Trinity High School pupil Isaac Adegbola.
Matthew told the audience, including Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling: "I was picked to be in the first Reclaim project and it's helped boost my confidence and self-esteem. It's proved I don't have to live up to the Gunchester stereotype.
Stereotype
"We know police are human and they are just trying to get bad people off the streets.
"I want to say thanks. I would also like to say 'don't judge a book by its cover'."
His friend Isaac said: "Coming from Moss Side comes with a lot of stereotypes and associations with knife crime and gun crime. We're taking steps for a better future for ourselves. I think the police can help us, but we have to help ourselves first."
Isaac, who wants to work in IT or the law, later told the M.E.N: "They listened to us, so we have to give them some respect."
Matthew admitted he could have considered joining a gang.
He said: "We could have thought about it in the area where we live, but Reclaim helped us. There are a few people who have turned their lives around and are back on track."
Mr Fahy told the M.E.N: "It's really for the good of all of us that we are looking at young black lads. There are certain stereotypes and it's for all of us to challenge those stereotypes."
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Showing comments 1 to 13 and replies | View All
Angie33 , Manchester (08/07/2009 at 13:00)
John Ware, city centre (08/07/2009 at 15:27)
Louise Saunders (08/07/2009 at 15:46)
AnOnYmOuS!!, Manchester (08/07/2009 at 15:46)
aVoice, Manchester (08/07/2009 at 17:00)
GMP are NOT the organisation that started RECLAIM. It was started two years ago by Urbis. Ruth, Laura and the whole Reclaim team are caring women who care about our community and I am glad they had the backing to run the project.
Reclaim hasn't forgotten about North and East Manchester, that's just not true. We are trying to reach all of Manchester. We are working with young boys, of all colours in Gorton at the moment. Reclaim isn't just for black boys, there were white boys from the same area on our project and white mentors. On the girls project there were black, white, mixed-race and Asian girls -all working together. And now we are working with a group of ALL races from Gorton where some of us older boys, give up our free time and help the younger ones.
The 1st project was mainly black boys because the area is very black. The next girls project is in Moston, which is in North Manchester and will probably have a majority of white girls on it.
You sholdn't see prejudice where there isn't any.
John Ware, city centre (08/07/2009 at 17:25)
This will cheer you up - The Reclaim project recently started up in Gorton (East Manchester).
Esso Blue. G. Barry, Roque Santa Cruz.It's a Done Deal. Next, Manchester (08/07/2009 at 18:21)
Topman, Bolton (08/07/2009 at 19:12)
WO2 of 24 years (08/07/2009 at 22:16)
If this project can stop just one youngster from straying and also assist the police in being more tolerant towards all teenagers (there not all bad you know) then its a result for everyone in Manchester.
Well done lads, well done Reclaim!
Steve (09/07/2009 at 07:37)
How did you get your comment past the censors of this column. I asked the same simple question and suggested that there might be kids from other ethnic backgrounds who may also benefit from this scheme and that if GMP couldn't see that they may need to look again. But the MEN who publish this story which I now believe is only loosely associated with fact censored it and didn't publish it. Maybe if I had sent the comment with a picture of a police car parked on yellow lines or openly put down GMP then I would have had a better chance.
Steve (09/07/2009 at 07:37)
How did you get your comment past the censors of this column. I asked the same simple question and suggested that there might be kids from other ethnic backgrounds who may also benefit from this scheme and that if GMP couldn't see that they may need to look again. But the MEN who publish this story which I now believe is only loosely associated with fact censored it and didn't publish it. Maybe if I had sent the comment with a picture of a police car parked on yellow lines or openly put down GMP then I would have had a better chance.
Smyth Harper, Acting Deputy Director of Communications, Greater Manchester Police (09/07/2009 at 12:13)
Greater Manchester Police supports a wide range of projects across Greater Manchester which helps disadvantaged people of all colours and creeds. Making Greater Manchester safer is at the heart of what we do and we do that by both locking up villains AND working with the communities we are so privileged to serve.
We also have our own charity, which you can find out more about at www.agreatermanchester.org.
Finally, to Matthew and Issac (and all those involved in Reclaim) - you guys should be so proud. You are great ambassadors for Manchester. Ignore the naysayers who hide behind a cloak of anonymity. Instead revel in the fact you have a voice that is ringing out loud and clear and being listened to.
Topman, Bolton (09/07/2009 at 16:36)