Police auction unclaimed property

Dozens of youth charities across the UK are to benefit from the sale of unclaimed property recovered by Thames Valley Police.

The auction, which is held every year by the police authority, aims to give 40 youth groups £1,000 each, to mark the force's 40th anniversary.

The presentation is taking place at Slough Police Station on Friday.

Five of the groups include local charities, such as Slough Central Community Association.

Ch Supt Lewis, of Thames Valley Police, said: "We know from past experience that any positive engagement with youngsters is nothing but a good thing.

"It provides them with a focus and gives them a good grounding in life skills, enabling them to become responsible adults.

This shows that the police are willing to help the community Yasir Khurshid Slough Central Community Association

"Groups such as those which have been nominated play an important part in providing these opportunities for our young people, and I am delighted that we are able to support them in this way."

Yasir Khurshid, of Slough Central Community Association, said: "We are delighted about receiving a donation from Thames Valley Police, as this shows that the police are willing to help the community.

"We have recently started an under-16s football team and the funds will be used to bring all the youths together, as we are a community which has no park or playing facilities in the area.

"We hope this can be the beginning of a long project we are trying to put together to have a youth centre in the area. "

Other local groups to benefit include Britwell Boys Club, Aik Saith Conflict Resolution Group, Slough West Indian People's Enterprise (Swipe) and Wokingham Vineyard Christian Church, which provides facilities for young people in Crowthorne and Sandhurst.