A SPECIAL Youth Day is taking place today to provide children in Pitsea with coaching and mentoring in a bid to tackle rising crime levels.

Essex Community Development is holding the event at the Green Centre in Wat Tyler Park after collating surveys of children and young people aged between 11 and 21.

The organisers of the survey were keen to identify what they thought about their community, their interests, how they would improve their locality given the opportunity.

In October, Pitsea man Darren Kelly died at Basildon Hospital after being found in Caister Drive, Pitsea with serious injuries following a stabbing.

Three teenagers and 20-year-old Chris Carroll have been remanded in custody charged with murder and will appear before Chelmsford Crown Court on January 11.

The aim of today's event is to help young people identify the potential that is embedded in them and helping them develop skills that will land them on better ground and prospects and definitely far from trouble.

It will be taking place between 12pm and 4pm.