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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Bethan McKernan. Photographs by Polly Braden

Crack and crime to confident and qualified: is the future about to change for Rhyl’s youth?

A young woman with tattoos stands on a beach wearing winter clothing.
Sienna, 19, on the beach at Rhyl. A sports injury left her requiring surgery that affected her education and job prospects Photograph: Polly Braden/The Guardian

Killing time playing pool at the West Rhyl youth club, friends Sienna, 19, and Jake, 26, are unanimous when asked what a tour of the north Wales seaside town should look like. “The first place I’d show anyone is ‘Crackhead Circle’,” Sienna says.

The small public garden behind the town hall and a paved area by the closed home bargain store Wilko in the adjacent high street host several strung-out characters on a cold February afternoon. Police cars crawl through the area every 15 minutes or so as part of Project Renew, a year-long crackdown on gang activity and drugs.

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