Southend’s young offenders scheme could be expanded (From Echo)

Southend’s young offenders scheme could be expanded

12:30pm Friday 19th March 2010 in

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A PIONEERING project to get young offenders in Southend back on track could be rolled out in other parts of Essex because of its success.

The Triage scheme allows young offenders the option of taking part in a comprehensive programme to address their behaviour, rather than being given a caution and criminal record.

Under the scheme, police refer offenders to the town’s youth offending service. Officers then work with their families to improve parenting skills, and ensure the young person goes to school and keeps out of trouble.

A meeting of Essex Police Authority was told of the success of the scheme, in which just one person, out of 230 re-offended.

Jim Barker-McCardle, Chief Consta-ble of Essex Police, told the meeting the project had such a positive effect, it may be used elsewhere.

He said: “We are looking into whether to roll out more approaches like that.”

The project has been operating since April of last year.

Carole Compton, the head of youth offending at Southend Council, and Rob Tinlin, the council’s chief executive, were invited to Downing Street to discuss the scheme with Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Mr Barker-McCardle said: “Although there are a number of schemes across Essex, the great strength of Southend’s is the person is still brought into custody, so they know there’s a real experience of getting arrested.”