Community Life

Youths as young as twelve say that Newham is becoming a less safe place for young people, especially after the fatal stabbing of a teenager, Adam Regis, in Plaistow in March 2007.

Former young offenders and at-risk teenagers, taking part in a council-lead scheme called Young People Affected by Crime, told BBC London that they are afraid of being mugged or attacked by other youths.

"People used to settle arguments with a fist fight. But it's quicker now to carry a gun or a knife," said Demitri Kon, aged 27, who works with young offenders in Newham.

Turning away from crime

Young People Affected by Crime (Y-Pac) is a pioneering scheme in Newham that helps young offenders, at-risk teenagers and victims understand the consequences of crime and improve their self-esteem.

Shelly Khaled, who runs the project, said that some of the major causes of crime among young people are peer pressure and money.

Some young people who have taken part in Y-PAC told BBC London that more young people have become targets of crime because they carry mobile phones and mp3 players.

"I can't even carry my mobile phone around anymore because people stop you and ask for it ... It's pretty scary," said Chanelle Webb, aged 12, who attended Y-Pac after assaulting a girl at her school.

Only 4.8 per cent of offenders who have participated in Y-Pac have re-offended. Its success earned a Howard League for Penal Reform Community Programme Award in 2006.

Newham and Tower Hamlets reporter, Angela Saini, filmed a session of Y-Pac in Stratford. To see her report click on the link at the top right of this page.

angela.saini@bbc.co.uk