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Seized compost put to seed

Northumbria Police

22 February 2008


When officers raided a house in Sunderland in March last year they seized 150 bags of fertiliser along with 217 cannabis plants.
Now the fertilizer is being put to good use after being handed over to the Pennywell Youth Project (PYP) for their community garden.
The youngsters have designed and worked on the garden project themselves and are in the process of developing it.
Sunderland West Neighbourhood Inspector Jackie Clark, who handed over the compost, said: "We're delighted to be able to help the young people with their garden project. The compost was to be used by criminals for something illegal, but it's now being used for something worthwhile.
"The PYP is a fantastic scheme and the community garden has given the youngsters something to focus on. Officers in the area have an excellent relationship with the project and the young people there really enjoy it. We were glad to help on this occasion and we'll continue to look for ways we can support the work of the PYP."
The compost was handed over to PYP worker John Parish, a retired Northumbria Police Inspector who used to be based in the Sunderland West sector.
It will be used to help develop a sensory garden within the grounds of PYP at Petersfield Road, Pennywell, which will be a place where young and old can work together to grow vegetables and flowers, and to relax and communicate together in a safe and friendly environment.
John said: "The compost donation really gives us a boost in getting the garden developed. It's an excellent scheme and one which the young people have designed and will develop themselves, so it really is worthwhile. It belongs to them and they take great pride in everything they do.
"We get great support from police officers and community support officers in the local policing team, who often drop by to see us, and donations such as this create a good relationship between the young people at the PYP and the police.
"Our young people work really hard, are a delight to work with and things such as the sensory garden are projects they are working on for the benefit of the whole community."
The Pennywell Youth Project is a charity which has been running for more than 20 years, and moved into its new premises on Petersfield Road three years ago.
Picture shows (Left to right): PYP worker John Parish, Matthew Young (12), Inspector Jackie Clark, Jordan Henson (11), Jack McMahon (12), and Pennywell Community Support Officer Eleanor Wright with the donated compost.