“Preventing and helping young people from not
getting involved in crime is a key commitment for the Welsh Government and the
support we provide via the Youth Crime Prevention Fund is a crucial part of
this.
“The £4.9 million available in 2014/5 will
support 55 projects across Wales which aim to improve education,
training, health and leisure opportunities along with initiatives tackling key
issues such as substance misuse.
“Projects receiving support range from an
initiative to recruit a Diversionary Officer to work with young people in Cwm
Taf area to several restorative alternative to charging
projects.
“The restorative projects include TRIAGE in
Cardiff, which offers a programme of diversionary activities across the city
with the focus on restorative justice at the time of first arrest for a minor
offence, and The Bureau, which provides young people across South Wales with an
opportunity to learn from their offending behaviour without receiving a
criminal record.
“I have no doubt these initiatives will continue
to make a difference in preventing young people from becoming involved in
crime. As well as protecting them from the stigmatisation and loss of
opportunity which having a criminal record brings, these activities will
protect our communities.”