A PIONEERING Barnardo's-run scheme working with young offenders in Hartlepool is celebrating a successful first year, with 85 per cent of youngsters referred to it not committing any further crime.

Hartbeat helps young offenders explore the impact of their crimes and the effect on their victims through a 12-week course in which they are guided by volunteer mentors.

A lot of the youngsters referred to the scheme are from under-privileged families who find there is not a lot for them to do in the town, or they are not getting the attention they would like.

In a bid to be noticed they turn to petty crime such as shoplifting, little realising this can escalate out of control.

Jacqui Gofton, from Hartbeat, said: "A lot of the youngsters carry out the crimes to get attention for themselves. They often have problems at home and turn to crime to be noticed.

"A lot of them believe that shoplifting is petty and doesn't really matter, little realising the knock-on effect it can have. That is where we help."

The youngsters take part in a one-to-one mentor scheme and are made to realise how serious their crimes could become.

They are shown around Durham Prison and a layout of a court and it is explained to them that if they do not stop they could end up there.

Ms Gofton said: "We have to stop these kids reoffending, so showing them around the prison and drumming home the seriousness of their actions really helps.

"We also make them realise how upsetting it is for their families to see them in court and always in trouble.

"The fact that we have had a number of youngsters not reoffending is really pleasing and shows what we are doing to help."

The scheme has won an Initiative Award in the Hartlepool Neighbourhood Watch Awards for the second year running, through their mentoring volunteers making a significant impact on tackling crime and the fear of crime.

Now, Hartbeat has won another award, The Marsh Trust Regional Award for Volunteers, which was won by all the project's volunteers.