A new initiative aimed at building solid citizens out of young Harold offenders had been launched this week.

Instead of carrying on in a life of crime, the new Havering Youth Offending Team is hoping to change the error of young criminals' ways by encouraging them to take responsibility for their actions.

Though a Havering wide initiative, the new team headed by Inspector David Stonehouse admits that Harold must be one of the main areas to benefit.

Insp Stonehouse is currently on secondment from the Metropolitan Police and is the only police officer in London to manage such a team.

The team is hoping it can encourage young offenders to use their time on constructive projects.

Team member PC Paul Campbell said: "All the ingredients are here to make Harold Hill a decent place to live.

"One of them is finding out what young people want to do and letting them build up projects up for themselves.

"If they are occupying themselves constructively this in turn removes the fear of the crime from others.

"To this end we are now looking at ways to get young offenders to appreciate the damage they have caused to their victims or the environment and to help right that wrong, such as by repairing vandalism they have caused"

As well as officers from the Met the multi agency team also includes representatives from the probation service, Barking and Havering Health Authority and Havering Council's social services and education departments.

The team is looking beyond punishment to achieve its aim of reducing youth crime.

Team members want to work in partnership with other agencies in the criminal justice system to speed up the process from arrest to trail.

Pc Campbell acknowledges non-offenders may see this as "red carpet" treatment for offenders but is anxious everyone should feel involved.

He said: "There is something in it for well-behaved youngsters because we will make them an example to the badly behaved and involve them in projects too."

Insp Stonehouse said: "I see our priorities as preventing crime, diverting young people from crime, intervening in young offenders lives and encouraging them to make reparation to the community and victims."

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