WIRRAL is pioneering a project to break the cycle of crime. The scheme, unique to Wirral, and organised by Merseyside Probation Service, is helping to cut crime rates.

The national awards scheme, ASDAN, aims to help improve training and employment prospects for those on probation or undertaking community service. Wirral is leading the field and 20 people were presented with awards and portfolios by Wirral's Mayor, Councillor Barney Gilfoyle, at a special ceremony at the International Business and Management Centre in Birkenhead.

The award winners, from throughout Wirral, were led by Carl McCallister, aged 24 and David Batty, aged 23, both from Birkenhead, who are the first in the country to reach the highest level.

Operations Manager David Christian praised the achievements of all those taking part, often on a voluntary basis. Nearly 70 people are working on the pre-vocational awards which range from conservation projects and building work to first aid and navigation.

Mr Christian said: "It has a massive effect on the crime rate. Very few people who do these awards re-offend. Out of 65 last year only three re-offended and these were minor offences."

He said the project set up two years ago: "has been developed in Wirral and most other services throughout the country are now looking at the scheme."

He added that a massive amount of work and achievements went into the awards. "It helps people with criminal records to build up a positive profile of themselves and show positive aspects of their characters with hard evidence to show that they are people who given a chance can be different."

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