Eastbourne and Lewes anti-crime scheme for young people receives £8,000

The early intervention scheme aims to tackle the underlying causes of criminal and anti-social behaviour among young people.

The scheme, called Restoring Eastbourne and Lewes, is operated by the Eastbourne Business Crime Group in partnership with Eastbourne Borough Council and Lewes District Council working with Sussex Police and the Youth Offending Team.

It has been successful in its bid for a grant from the Community Safety Partnership and gained £8,000 for running costs.

The scheme, which is for young people aged 12 and aboev, started in 2015.

It aimed to use restorative justice to reduce reoffending for shoplifting - this has evolved into addressing the causes of a wide range of low-level offences with an emphasis on early intervention.

Initially, Restoring Eastbourne and Lewes only engaged with young people referred by police but now it receives school referrals and holds sessions at Causeway School and Peacehaven Community School, both run by Swale Academy which also provides funding towards the scheme.

Councillor Rebecca Whippy, cabinet member for disabilities and community safety at Eastbourne Borough Council, said, “Many of the young people being referred to this scheme are experiencing problems related to mental health, low self-esteem, a lack of confidence or family issues that lead them to becoming involved in anti-social or criminal behaviour.

“Addressing these root causes reduces the need for them to behave badly or be drawn into criminality, which is a successful result not only for that individual but the community as a whole.”

Alan Sidders is from Southdown Training Limited and delivers the scheme - working closely with the Eastbourne Business Crime Group, Sussex Police and schools.

Police constable Cathy Codling, former prevention youth officer for Eastbourne, described the scheme as ‘invaluable’.

She said, “I have been able to use this service as a diversion and intervention for those young people that may have otherwise ended up with community resolution which would provide a record that could affect their applications for work or studying in the future if an enhanced DBS was required.

“This way the young people can get the help they require rather than heading into criminalisation at an early age.”

For more information about Restoring Eastbourne and Lewes go to lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/community/eastbourne-business-crime-group/