A ground-breaking scheme is hoping to keep young offenders on the straight and narrow - by teaching them drama.

The project has just gone on trial in mid-Essex.

It aims to help persistent young offenders recognise social pressures in their lives through drama, helping them to break a vicious cycle of crime.

Young offenders from Braintree, Witham, Chelmsford and Maldon have been developing drama presentations based on the experiences which led them to crime.

The presentations will be performed to an invited audience of magistrates, youth workers and family at the Mercury Theatre Studio, Colchester, on April 20.

Rosy Perry, manager of the Chelmsford youth offending team, said: "The characters they create are based upon their own life experiences."

"We get them to build a story up around their character, how that character perceives the world, how they feel and how they act in regard to their feelings."

Mrs Perry added: "The aim of the project is to help young offenders under 18 find a way back into society."

At present the scheme is operating only in mid-Essex but it is hoped the initiative will be extended to other young offender teams in Colchester, Harlow and Basildon.

Councillors from across the political spectrum in mid-Essex backed the scheme.

The success of the programme will be evaluated by a team of experts from Anglia Polytechnic University.

...or go off to Scotland if you're good

Schoolchildren in Colchester at risk of getting into trouble will be rewarded with a holiday in Scotland if they behave.

They will also be able to take part in a day at an outdoor adventure centre and an eight-week police-run course, to encourage them to be good. The long-term aim is stop teenagers straying on to a path of crime.

Secondary schools in Colchester will identify suitable 14 to 16-year-olds, who may be at risk of getting into trouble.

The project called Respect, is the first of its kind in Essex and based on a model used in Merseyside.

It will work by inviting about 100 youngsters to attend a one-day adventure course. About 20 of those who show potential and willingness to make a commitment to improve will be invited to go on the eight-week course, one evening a week.

There they will be taught how to improve behaviour, resist peer pressure, team work and bolstering self-esteem.

At the end of the course, the best of the bunch will be picked and allowed to attend a week-long trip to Scotland.

They will stay at an activity centre and take part in more character building exercises and community work.

The whole project costs £17,000 and will be paid for by Colchester Council and Essex Police but has been made possible by many volunteers.

PC Simon Knightly, of Colchester police, said: "The week in Scotland is not just about rewarding bad kids. We will be taking pre-offenders and rewarding them for better behaviour.

"It won't be just a week of fun, they have got to show commitment, whether it's improving their school attendance or resisting the temptation not to get into trouble."

Thomas, Lord Audley and St Helena School have already said they will co-operate with the project and others are set to sign up later.

The project is borne out of the Government's Crime and Disorder Act which orders local authorities to work with police and other agencies to cut youth crime and nuisance.

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