A POLICE inspector has been perfecting his grinds and ollies at Otley's skate park.

Inspector Richard Coldwell put his skateboarding skills through their paces when he joined in a Skate Jam at Wharfemeadows Park last weekend.

The event, the first of its kind to be held in the park for years, attracted riders from all over Leeds who showed off their talent against a backdrop of music from Vibration Hi-Fi.

The skate jam was part of Sk8 Safe's summer programme, designed to "empower young leaders in the local community", and supported by West Yorkshire Police, Leeds City Council and Otley Town Council.

Inspector Coldwell, of the Otley-based Outer North West Neighbourhood Policing Team, said, ‘This has been a really cool event, loads of young people from five year olds to young adults turned up and had a really fun afternoon,

including myself!

"My thanks go to Sk8 Safe for organising this, the numerous businesses who have donated prizes, and the Outer North West Community Committee of local councillors who have funded this and many other positive projects for

young people in our area."

Sarah Agar-Brennan from Sk8 Safe added: "The young people that we actively involved in this were so encouraging.

"They are all experienced in their chosen sport and use the park daily, so were keen to be involved - so much so that they organised, with our help, their own skate jam."

One of the young skaters who took part, Denham Hill, said: "This was a great celebration of our culture and lifestyle.

"Most importantly, everyone had a great time and felt that the park really benefited from the work through the summer, and the event.

"A massive thank you to Sk8 Safe for an ace day and for bringing us together."

Prizes on the day were awarded to all abilities and ages, and included an award for good skate park etiquette.

Sk8 Safe would like to thank Welcome Skate Store, Deckheads Scooters, Notion BMX, and Camp WeSC UK for providing prizes and the Leeds Area Committee Youth Activities Fund for financing the whole project.