East Thames scheme to tackle youth crime

The Time for Youth scheme, run by housing association East Thames Group, provides accommodation, training and job opportunities for young people in Essex and east London. It is intended to break the cycle of homelessness and reoffending.

There are 270 people on the programme, of which 80 are aged between 11 and 16, and the remainder between 16 and 24. More than 70% have experienced abuse, violence or mental health problems. One in three of the scheme’s participants are female.

The clients are referred either by East Thames’ subsidiary organisations or by youth-offending teams and arrest referral.

Chris Holmes, from the Youth Justice Board, said: “By working proactively with young people at risk, it has prevented many from ever becoming involved in offending in the first place.”