Teens to pick criminal record or the scouts (From Croydon Guardian)

Teens to pick criminal record or the scouts

10:05am Wednesday 1st October 2008

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Teenage tearaways arrested by police will be offered the choice of a criminal record or three months in the scouts, according to a new scheme.

Kids who find themselves in trouble with the law for offences as serious as robbery, burglary and assault could sign up to a uniformed youth group to escape official police cautions.

If the child completes the term the caution is never given and the child avoids a criminal record, instead enjoying the chance of activities such as camping, hiking and sailing as part of the Youth Organisation Uniform (You) initiative.

Started in Croydon, the You project includes not just the scouts but other organisations including the boys’ brigade, girl guides, army cadets, St John’s Ambulance and the air training corps.

You is run by Croydon police sergeant Richard Curran, who will be rolling out the initiative the initiative across London at the Whitgift Centre on Friday, October 11.

He said: “If they agree a timetable of action kids can avoid a final warning. But only if they agree to a programme of activities.”

Sgt Curran said there was no set criteria for what offences kids might be referred to the project for.

He added: “Each child will be taken on an individual basis. It is really designed for antisocial behaviour.

“We will look at the circumstances, their attitude to the crime they have committed, the risks and ask the child if they want to live that sort of life still.”

Sgt Curran admitted even children caught carrying knives could be allowed into the scheme if they met the criteria.

He said: “A child would have to join the organisation for three months. We would go back in three months’ time and they would have to provide evidence that they have done this and that.

“It provides a long-term solution to the problems these kids have and changes their attitude.”

Sgt Curran said he had already seen children at risk of becoming criminals go through these organisations and turn their lives around.

And he dismissed fears the children might be disruptive, saying if one organisation is not right they could be moved to say the army cadets to get more discipline instilled in them.

Dean Milton, the Scout Association’s regional commissioner for London, said: “The You Project is very much about uniformed organisations having a bigger voice in London on matters relating to young people.

“There is no specific policy to work with ‘young criminals’ however working with the local police neighbourhood teams, there is scope to offer young people in the community the opportunity to join one of several organisations in the hope that this diverts their energies into a more structured pastime.

“This is no different to our normal policy of being open to all regardless of background.”

• What do you think of the plan? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Your Say YourCroydon

ANNE GILES, SELSDON says...
10:26am Wed 1 Oct 08

Excellent. I had spoken to Richard Curran some months ago about this, and offered to help in whichever way I could. I think this will really work for many of these children. Congratulations, Richard, on everything you are doing!!