Young people involved in violence across Nottinghamshire turn their lives around

Since its launch in January, the ‘U-Turn’ custody intervention scheme has supported 24 young people aged 16 to 26, arrested for various offences, and helped them to move away from crime and make a fresh start.

All 24 have stayed on the right side of the law since volunteering to join the project and receiving intensive mentoring, with none of them re-offending since engagement.

The custody intervention scheme is funded by the county’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) and delivered by Nottinghamshire charity The Inspire and Achieve Foundation (IAF).

It sees two full-time mentors operating out of both Nottingham’s Bridewell and Mansfield’s custody suites.

The mentors support young people who have been arrested, help them overcome their personal barriers, and put them on the path to a new life.

The scheme has helped 12 of the young people to find suitable accommodation and most of the 24 have benefitted from help with registering for benefits, attending GP/probation appointments or with finding positive activities.

Dave Wakelin, director of the VRU, said: “U-Turn allows us to deliver critical intervention in police custody at a point where many young people reflect on the reasons why they are there.

“These mentors have a real practical understanding of the issues affecting these young people and know what it is like to be caught up in the system.

“I’m really proud of the team. It’s not an easy environment for them but they did not stop working or engaging throughout the pandemic and have always been there for their clients.”

Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping, chair of the VRU Board, added: “This is a project that is literally turning around lives. The fact that the 24 participants involved in this scheme so far have not reoffended speaks volumes.

“We know that second chances really can make a difference and these figures are something to be hugely proud of.

“We never said we could end knife crime and violence overnight but through sustained investment in holistic prevention, we will eventually turn the tide.”