EALING police are promising to engage young people and be a visual presence in the borough during the summer school holidays.

The force said it would 'take steps to ensure this holiday term passes happily and safely' and will focus on reducing burglary, robbery and anti-social behaviour.

Chief inspector Manzoor Hussain said: "Ealing Police, along with our partners are committed to interacting and engaging with young people over the school summer holidays as part of our crime and antisocial behaviour reduction initiative.

"We are engaging at all levels to ensure young people have something to do and enjoy and also channel their energy into keeping themselves fit and energetic. This will inevitably lead to a positive working relationship between the police and young people."

One of the best ways of getting engaged in youth activities during the summer is by joining Met Track, a police led initiative which helps young athletes aged 10 - 17 to improve their fitness as well as understand the value of commitment and teamwork. Training sessions are held at Perivale Athletics Track, Stockdove Way, Perivale and run every Thursday between 4.30pm - 6pm.

It is completely free. Met Track also provides local youngsters with useful crime prevention advice and talks about knife crime, drugs, anti-social behaviour and personal safety. If you require more information about Met Track, please contact PC McGuigan on 07879 434 967.

PC Mcguigan says: "Met Track offers free athletics training by an international level coach to young people from 10-17 years old of all abilities. Coaching sessions run in term time and all through the school holidays. We encourage anyone to come and give it a go. It is completely free and there is no need to book - just turn up at the track in your sports kit."

Another project which offers Ealing teenagers a chance to get fit and make new friends is called The Hitz. Run by Harlequins RFC and supported by the Met Police, the project provides youngsters aged 11 - 19 with the opportunity to learn and master their rugby skills as well as find out about police youth engagement programmes and crime prevention.

The sessions are held on Mondays at Rectory Park 4:30pm - 6:00pm and Northolt High School on Wednesdays 5:00pm - 6:30pm and are free. For more information about The Hitz, please contact Charlie Pettit on 07590 890 868 or charliep@quins.co.uk.

Charlie Pettit said: "Hitz is an exciting opportunity for young people to try out rugby in their communities and make new friends whilst enjoying the sport. The project offers young people the opportunity to visit local stadiums such as The Stoop and Twickenham to watch premiership fixtures. No experience is needed, just turn up and give it a try!"

During the last days of school term, Safer Schools Officers also distributed a number of crime prevention DVD's featuring new Met Police interactive video called "Choose a Different Ending" which encourages young people to think about the consequences of carrying a knife. Since its launch a year ago, the video has had 2.7 million net views on YouTube. To view the video, go to www.youtube.com/adifferentending

Officers from Ealing Safer Transport Teams will also be deployed to monitor the situation around key transport links on the Borough.

Further information about Ealing summer term activities can be obtained by visiting www.YoungEaling.co.uk or by contacting Safer Neighbourhoods Teams and Safer Schools Officers.