Police is Preston city centre have teamed up with an indoor gaming arena to try and curb anti-social behaviour by teenagers.

Aimed at children aged 10 to 14-year-olds the sessions at the Game Belong Arena in St George’s Shopping Centre.

PCSO Stephen Connolly is behind the scheme.

He said it was launched in response to low-level crime and disruption by teenagers.

The two-and-a-half hour sessions are a pilot scheme, funded by the Lancashire Partnership Against Crime and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

McDonalds in Friargate has donated free food to the sessions.

PCSO Connolly said: “The partnership with Game Belong is a fantastic opportunity to work with young people and experts in the video game retail industry to help address the root cause of youth related anti-social behaviour and crime whilst giving them a place that they can participate in meaningful and alternative activities.

“Preston is fortunate to be the only place in Lancashire to currently have a Game Belong gaming arena and following the feedback from the pilot sessions we would look to work closer with Game in the future.

“I would always look to share best practices with my colleagues nationally via the College of Policing.”

The sessions are running throughout September.