A PROJECT to divert children from a life in organised crime is being launched in Edinburgh following its “astonishing” success in Glasgow.

Mentors with similar backgrounds and experiences work with young people known to be involved in serious criminal activity or “on the cusp” of being snared by crime gangs in Action for Children’s Serious Organised Crime Early Intervention Service.

The Edinburgh scheme will target approximately 80 young people identified as being at risk of falling into organised crime by police, care workers and schools.

It will use peers and youth workers as positive role models and examples of how to turn their lives around.

First launched in Glasgow in 2013, the award-winning project boasts a success rate of more than 70% in preventing reoffending, according to Action for Children.

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The charity’s director, Paul Carberry, who also chairs an organised crime taskforce, said the project had been successful in Glasgow because its mentors were able to engage with at-risk young people who “don’t trust the state”.

“There was a recognition that once young people got involved in organised crime it was very difficult to get them out, and they created a disproportionate amount of harm in the community,” Carberry said.

Edinburgh City Council, Police Scotland and the Scottish Government will all work alongside Action for Children, with Edinburgh being chosen for the first stage of a roll-out across several UK cities following Glasgow’s success.

Carberry said the involvement of the mentors – many of whom also have a past history of offending – was “absolutely crucial” because they are relatable and can engage the vulnerable youngsters. He cited a young man who came from a notorious Glasgow crime family whose “role model was somebody who had been murdered – that’s who he aspired to be”, until his mentor became his new role model.