The Keighley Police Activity Scheme, which steered people away from crime, has closed after 21 years.

Trustees of the charity, including former police officers, held their final meeting this month. The scheme could not continue because the police’s youth officers have changed the focus of their work.

The charity was set up as the Keighley Police Summer Scheme to provide positive activities for young people during school holidays.

The aim was to divert them from crime and anti-social behaviour while providing character-building and development skills and experience.

Up to 700 youngsters a year took part in activities, such as canoeing, raft building, climbing, abseiling, problem-solving days and visits to museums and theme parks.

Among those who benefited while growing up was Cllr Amjad Zaman, Keighley’s town mayor until last spring.

Retired police inspector Nigel Cawthorne, the chairman of the trustees, said the achievements of the scheme should be celebrated.

He said: “It’s done a lot of good work for thousands of young people over the years. It was all about positive activity, whether that was sport, indoor or outdoor activities.

“We did things in a way that ensured fair play, highlighting responsibilities and rewarding good behaviour.”

Mr Cawthorne paid tribute to the helpers who had given their own time and persuaded others to do so, for the benefit of Keighley’s young people since 1988.

He said: “Over this period some 40,000 session attendances have been logged and around £500,000 of additional funding found.”

Mr Cawthorne added: “Police youth services officers are now focusing on early intervention, prevention and targeted youth support so the activity scheme was no longer sustainable.

“We have passed our assets and equipment to local charities with similar objectives so that young people will continue to benefit in the future.”

Lee Holmes, MBE, a recently-retired police officer and founder member of the scheme, said he was sad at its passing but that time moved on and its achievements should be celebrated.

Town councillor Amjad Zaman was a teenager in 1988 and one of the first young people to benefit from a place on the scheme.

He has said that this pointed him in the right direction and diverted him from more negative activities.