“Cricket is our biggest ally in the community right now. It’s helping us engage with young people, win their trust, and steer them towards more positive futures.”

Those are the words of West Midlands Police Sergeant Chris Gallen. He came to Edgbaston’s Indoor Centre to captain a side in a fun tape ball cricket competition organized by our Warwickshire Cricket Foundation.

Teams consist of officers, two paramedics, an Imam at a local mosque, and several under-25s from inner city Birmingham.

The aim is to use cricket to break down barriers between the police and young people in Birmingham. And, ultimately, to help reduce anti-social behaviour and crime.

And according to Sgt Gallen, it’s working.

Discover more about Chance 2 Shine Street Cricket in Birmingham and how to get involved: https://edgbaston.com/foundation/street