War games to stop street fighting

Street warden David Thomas with some of the chavs and goths

Young people are taking part in organised war games in a bid to take conflict off a city's streets.

Teenagers from Peterborough labelling themselves as goths or chavs have been taking part in an "airsoft" event.

This is a war game like paintball but played in derelict buildings with plastic ball bearing guns.

Peterborough's street wardens organised the games in a bid to cut fear of crime in the city's Cathedral Square where youngsters congregate and often fight.

WHAT IS A CHAV? Chavs aim to be at the cutting edge of fashion at the least possible cost by adorning themselves with nine carat gold jewellery and body piercings. They have a distinctive dress code with Burberry baseball cap, branded sportswear and trainers. Their music is listened to on the move through MP3 players, portable CD players or minis that blast out rap to the boys, R&B to the girls and dance to both - but it is always chart stuff. Conversation is slurred and very much estuary English often ending in a "yeah!" for emphasis.

Street wardens are often called to deal with outbreaks of violence between the gangs of chavs and goths.

A spokesman for the city council said: "Fights break out between rival gangs, under age drinking is observed and we frequently have to call ambulances or contact distraught parents."

Graffiti on the Guidhall and street furniture is also a problem.

Excessive litter and broken glass is strewn around the square.

When violence breaks out plastic ballbearing guns are used and this presents a danger to the general public.

David Thomas, street warden supervisor, said: "This way the young people will not be causing a problem on the streets.

WHAT IS A GOTH? Goths aim to be individuals but share a distinctive uniform, common tastes and attitude. They are often sullen, dress in black and red with silver or stainless steel and leather adornments and body piercings. They carry around a lot of metal on their clothes and bodies. They wear heavy military style boots, fishnet tights or stockings if they are female and distressed clothing. Their rooms are dark caves full of the sounds of Siouxsie and the Banshees, the Cure, the Mission, Cradle of Fear, Sisters of Mercy and other guitar bands. They rarely speak to adults but their language tends towards estuary although many retain their regional accents.

"We have taken 20 away to an airsoft event and they have really enjoyed themselves.

"They took part in an event doing something they enjoy and they're having fun.

"Our aim is to encourage them to build a sense of respect towards each other, draw out leadership qualities and enable them to learn how to handle responsibility."

The event also highlights the dangers of using BB guns in public places.

Phillip Makepeace, from Peterborough City Council said: "We have discussed the problem on numerous occasions without any solutions so we have designed this event to bring the two groups together and improve engagement."